Sanctuary and Atonement
What do the following verses teach us about the role of the sanctuary in the experience and life of the Israelites? Exod. 25:8, 22; 29:42, 43; Pss. 28:2; 132:7; 138:2.
The Israelite sacrificial system was centered on and operated within the sanctuary, the earthly dwelling of God. It was the center of life and of holiness in Israel. Within that unique space God dealt with the problem of sin. He commanded the Israelites to build an altar in the courtyard of the sanctuary, and it was upon this altar that the sacrificial blood was placed in order to make atonement for the people (Lev. 17:11). Blood, as a tangible expression of life, belonged to God, and it was to be returned to Him there, on the altar.
In the plan of salvation, the life of the animal stood for the life of the repentant sinner, and God would accept the death of the innocent animal instead of the sinner. The altar was a symbol of God’s presence (Ps. 43:4), and by accepting the sacrifice, God was assuming responsibility for the sin of the person. In other words, the Lord was telling the Israelites, “If you have sinned and want to get rid of this enslaving power, bring it to Me, to My dwelling place, and I will take care of it. Bring it to Me!” The Israelites left the sanctuary blessed by the Lord and justified by His grace (Pss. 24:3–5, 118:26).
All this was symbolic of the work of Jesus, our real High Priest. The heavenly sanctuary is the dwelling of God within the cosmos, and the place from which He rules as King of the universe; it’s also the place in which the sin problem is being resolved. The cross was the altar on which the sacrifice was offered for us. Today God says to us, “If you want freedom from sin, and forgiveness of sin, come to the altar of sacrifice where My Son paid the penalty for your sins!”
| Someone asked a friend, “How can I know what God is really like?” The person responded, “Look at Jesus on the cross, dying for the sins of the world.” How does the Cross tell us what God is really like? What comfort and hope can you draw for yourself from that revelation of God? |
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