The Sin Offering

Part 3 of 8 in Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves

Parte 3 de 8 de la serie Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves

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Brian Hunter · March 2, 2025

Scripture Referenced

Recap

In week three of the “Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves” series, Brian revisited the previous week’s sobering picture of Nadab and Abihu (Aaron’s own sons, struck down by the same holy fire that had just blessed the whole camp) as proof that God will never compromise his holiness for the sake of love, even for people he loves deeply. From there he moved into Leviticus 4 and the sin offering, walking through the physical act of laying hands on the animal, transferring guilt onto it, before its life was given so the blood could be carried to the altar.

The congregation worked together to unpack the imagery in real time, with one member observing that the animal’s body was burned outside the camp while its blood alone was used to purify: a direct picture, Brian affirmed, of what Jesus did on the cross: his body given over to death while his blood accomplished the ongoing work of cleansing. Brian connected this forward to Leviticus 16 and the Day of Atonement, when once a year the high priest alone could carry blood through the veil into the Most Holy Place and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, foreshadowing the temple curtain tearing in two at Jesus’s death and the direct access to God that act opened for everyone.

Returning to the series’ recurring framework, Brian reminded the church that Leviticus functions as a “divine blueprint for holiness,” dense and detailed but ultimately aimed at helping God’s people understand exactly how a holy God could dwell among an unholy people, a plan that finds its full resolution in Christ.

Touch Points

1. The sin offering required someone to physically lay hands on the animal, transferring their guilt onto it. Is there a specific guilt or shame you need to consciously hand over to Jesus rather than carry yourself?
2. Brian said God won’t compromise holiness for love, even toward people he loves deeply. Does that unsettle or comfort your picture of God, and why?
3. The sin offering’s body was burned outside the camp while its blood alone purified. What does it mean to you that Jesus’s blood, not just his death, is described as doing ongoing cleansing work?
4. Only the high priest could carry blood past the veil once a year, until Jesus tore it permanently. How does having that kind of direct, constant access to God change the way you approach him?

Read the full transcript · Leer esto en espanol