The dual sacrifice for our sin confuses some people. Why is one-half of the sacrifice allowed to live? Maybe the baptism ceremony sheds some light on the picture of our atonement. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Rom 6:4) If the first goat were a picture of our death with Christ, then the second goat must represent our life in Jesus Christ. The point is that our daily sins are being handled while we are alive. Jesus is bearing our sins when His Spirit lives in us and leads us in a righteous life. Remember the verse, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (the Spirit of Christ) (Rom 5:10) The live goat is a very important picture of the Spirit of Jesus living in our free life. Jesus can save us although every trespass of God’s law must be dealt with.
Another offering using two birds to cleanse a disease is a beautiful picture of our healing. The healed person was to bring two doves as a sacrifice to God. Once again we see that one animal was killed and the other given its freedom. He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the infectious disease and pronounce him clean. Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields. (Lev 14:6,7) Today we know that the blood of the Savior allows for healing. Is it possible that having the Spirit of Christ (our freedom) living in us has something to do with the healing of a Christian? The Scripture says, He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24) Maybe we will all be in good health when Jesus returns for us.
In the offerings we see a principle of the blood of one, for the freedom of another. What glorious things have been done for us. In the previous sacrificial examples, we see two animals used for the purpose of salvation in one and also two for the purpose of healing. One time Jesus referred to this when healing a person, Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven. … Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? (Matt 9:2,5) This person had just been set free from the rules of this world. Our Savior told us to remember His life and death with the communion service. Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,(life) which is for you; (your freedom) do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood;(death) do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor 11:24,25) Jesus gave his blood for the New Covenant and gave us his perfect body to sustain the freedom of a righteous life.
There is no explanation for the freedom of the second animal given in the Old Testament. Of course, no one had ever been set free from the Law. Paul had much difficulty convincing the Jews their works had no eternal value. Even among the gentiles today there seems to be some attraction toward keeping the law. It is not the same law that Jews keep but we seem to love our rules just as much. Paul tried to explain that our liberty is in the Spirit. He said, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:17,18) The people in that day let their lives become full of worldly problems and Paul was explaining a new way of life that the Jews were not even aware existed.
Let us go back to the two goats of atonement offering and look at the sins placed on their heads. This will reinforce our understanding of the two-part sacrifice by explaining a difference in the sins placed on the animals. The Hebrew word for a general state of sinfulness was hatta’t. This type sin comes from the fallen nature of human beings. The word hatta’t was used while placing our sin on the first goat who was killed. The word used for the goat to receive its freedom was different. It was the word for a deliberate act, with the idea of guilt from conscious wrongdoing. This word, ‘awon, was needed for our transgressions of the Law of Moses. The word ‘awon was used to place sins on the goat that received its freedom. It is interesting that the sin placed, on the goat given freedom, because people sin deliberately. However, our freedom is for a deliberate life of righteousness. We could say that our freedom from the Law can be seen in the picture of the freedom of the live dove or goat.
The book of Galatians was written to believers who were observing the Law of Moses. Paul was very upset with them and said some strong words to them. Yet not one time did he mention the blood of the Savior in Galatians. Paul was teaching them something about living a Christian life. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:12) Apparently, the Spirit led life had not been previously understood. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Gal 3:14 Peter said one time that Paul taught things that were difficult to understand. Could it be that the church is still having trouble understanding the promise of the Spirit? It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Gal 5:1 No more wrath of the Law, it is replaced by the Spirit of righteousness.
The subject of the freedom granted to Christians by God is difficult to teach because people inevitably want to use there freedom to do as they please. Even when we stress that this freedom is “only” for a righteous life guided by the Spirit another problem raises its head. Righteous people always tend to think they are better that others. This is far from the truth and must be guarded against by Christians. A real believer lives a life of total faith. By definition, this is a life that depends on the power of another person. This automatically means the glory for anything in this life belongs to someone else. With our own power we are helpless in all spiritual matters which certainly includes our sin. As we seek to live a life of faith may humility and love be our banner.
The blessing given to Abraham that is the same one Jesus gives to us through his Spirit. It is the blessing of faith that allows us to live righteously and to enjoy our God. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal 3:23-27) Everything that Jesus Christ does for us, including his return for us, is applied in our life by our absolute faith. If we want the Spirit of Jesus to guide our life, then faith is required. If we want to be ready to go with Jesus someday, then faith is required.
Jesus dealt with all sin when he came to this earth. The idea that it happens in different ways does not change the outcome of our faith. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, (the way of freedom) and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled (the blood of Christ) to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (the conviction of the Spirit) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb 10:19-24) The application of what Jesus has done, by the Holy Spirit in a life, is the greatest miracle on earth and it is happening today.
There is great peace and reward in the Christian life. This is why we need faith in our Savior to set us free. You wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness… But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Rom 6:17-22)
May all believers find righteousness with their freedom resulting in Eternal Life.
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