The Sacrifice of Jesus: Understanding Atonement Biblically

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For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. But now apart from the law the covenant faithfulness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” ( Ephesians 1:7). Looking through the eyes and understanding of the world, the true meaning of atonement becomes somewhat diluted.

Eberhart broadens the categories and offers plenty of biblical ways to think about the offering of Jesus beyond mere payment of a penalty. This symbolic action was to signify the transference of sin to the animal who, in turn, would “bear all their [Israel’s] iniquities on itself. Though we will never be able to fully comprehend the atonement on this side of eternity, several things are immediately clear concerning the purposes of the atonement.All this is to say that it belongs to the very nature of sacrifice that it is directed first to God.

When speaking of atonement, it is important to understand that it is first and foremost, an act of God’s infinite love for us. Just as in the story of the Exodus the Israelites had to place the door of the lamb on their doorpost, so too we must apply the blood of Christ. He hosts several live weekly webcasts, including 'The Bible Speaks Live', 'The Cutting It Right Bible Study', and the 'Line By Line Webcast'. The symbolism of laying hands on the sacrificial animal, confessing sin, and then the ritual slaughter of the animal therefore conveys the idea of deliverance by substitution.

The terminology of propitiation, ransom, redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation, all find their meaning against the backdrop of Old Testament sacrifice. The descriptive terms “guilt offering” and “sin offering” and the requirements that the sacrifice itself be “without blemish” are reflective of the same.