The Way of Sacrifice As you enter through the gate the first thing you see in God’s Courtyard is the Bronze Altar. Sacrifice is the FIRST STEP into God’s presence.

 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.”  The sacrifice is divine. It is not an attempt to appease God, rather it is a gift He has given us.  The sacrifice pays the price. Sin requires death. The life of the creature is the payment for there is life in the blood.  The sacrifice is a substitution. Atonement of sin is at the cost of life in the place of life. The Why of Sacrifice

The History of Sacrifice  History of Sacrifice: Offering for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21) Abel’s offering (Genesis 4:4) Abraham’s offering of Isaac (Genesis 22:13) The Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:13) The System of Sacrifice– burnt, grain, peace, sin, & trespass offerings (Leviticus 1-6)

 The Sacrifice was necessary for forgiveness and to have a right standing before God. A proper sacrifice was an animal that was valuable and perfect, not flawed. Sin was serious. Only shed blood which stands for life, could pay for sin. By laying his hand on it, the person identified with the animal sacrificed. The Way of Sacrifice

The Way of the Cross  The Sacrifice of Christ – Christ is the gift for our sin, He paid the price for our sin, and He is our substitute.  “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)  His sacrifice allows us to come into His presence.