Leviticus 17
11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
Life and blood are inextricably linked. One does not need to be a medical practitioner or biologist to understand this simple fact.
Throughout the Torah, and certainly in Leviticus, there are numerous sacrifices that are required by God as a means of atoning for the sins of God’s people. Why would God require such a seemingly barbaric practice? If God really is omnipotent, couldn’t He come with a less barbaric way of dealing with the sins of mankind?
The blood sacrifice is a reminder that that the consequence of sin is death. Paul writes in his letter to the church in Rome that the wage of sin is death. (Rom 6:23) Sin is a choice. We can choose to obey God. We can choose to disobey God. It is God that has granted us that choice. Choices can be made--good or bad--but consequences for those choices cannot.
Adam and Eve were innocent. They were created unblemished. They were created without sin. After they sinned, their innocence was shattered. Their bodies and souls were stained with sin. They were no longer unblemished. They brought on themselves, and all mankind, physical and spiritual death. The consequence of their sin was death, physical and spiritual death, and their was covered with the hide of an animal that had to be sacrificed so it’s hide could be used.
The blood sacrifice, the ugly reminder of the consequence of our sin, goes beyond just any sacrifice. The bllod sacrifices of the Old Testament required unblemished animals, those without defect.
The blood of Christ shed at Calvary is the ultimate unblemished Lamb and the ultimate reminder of the consequence of sin. If God did not punish sin He would be unjust. By becoming the final pascal Lamb and suffering the consequence for the sins of mankind, God is both just and merciful. Only the one true God could come up with the perfect solution to the sin problem. He bore our sin and He suffered the consequence for our sins. In one act He shows His perfect justice and His undeserved grace.
