7. Though the system of animal sacrifices ended at Christ’s death, can they still inform our understanding of Christ’s work for us?

Throughout the ages of human history, God’s aim has always been to impress our hearts with His unconditional love. God instituted at Sinai the Jewish sacrificial system to graphically illustrate the way that the Son of God would be crucified to eradicate sin.JTL10 4.7

All of us have sinned and God’s law demanded the life of the sinner. But Jesus stepped in to interrupt the consequences of our sin by offering His own precious life in our behalf! Jesus took upon Himself the “guilt” of our sins but not all their consequences. With incredible condescension drenched in love for His created beings, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin to provide us with forgiveness and reconciliation to the Godhead.JTL10 4.8

When an Israelite slit the throat of an innocent lamb, it was to be a reminder of the price the coming Messiah would pay on our behalf. That ancient act of sacrifice symbolized the transfer of sin to the victim, thus depicting the substitutionary nature of the Messiah, who would bear our sins on the cross of Calvary. Surely, this is “The Greatest Story Ever Told!” The more we contemplate its significance, the more our hearts are drawn toward Jesus. No one could ever love us more!JTL10 5.1