PERFECTION IN CHRIST The Law, or the "first covenant," was not intended to be an end of itself. It was "added" to the Abrahamic promise, "because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to Whom the promise was made" (Gal 3:19). "And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, IT SHALL BE PERFECT TO BE ACCEPTED; there shall be no blemish therein" (Lev 22:21). "This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer WITHOUT SPOT, wherein is NO BLEMISH, and upon which never came yoke" (Num 19:2). "And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year WITHOUT SPOT day by day, for a continual burnt offering" (Num 28:3). "And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year WITHOUT SPOT, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof" (Num 28:9). "And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year WITHOUT SPOT" (Num 28:11). "And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year WITHOUT SPOT" (Num 29:17). "And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year WITHOUT SPOT" (Num 29:26). All of those flawless sacrifices pointed to the coming of Christ, God's perfect sacrifice. No other sacrifice could provide a basis for the reclamation of humanity. The nature of God required a perfect sacrifice- nothing else would suffice. Those animal sacrifices instilled an awareness of this requirement in the minds of ancient Israel.
Devotion 4 of 15
It served at least two purposes. First, it identified sin, from which Jesus would free us (Rom 3:20). By identifying sin, it also induced a consciousness of guilt within its constituents, stopping their mouths from boasting (Rom 3:19). In these remarkable accomplishments, the Law became a "Schoolmaster," leading its students to the appointed Savior, Jesus Christ (Gal 3:24-25).
The Law also served another important purpose. It introduced spiritual concepts that could not have been discovered by mere human wisdom. In this respect, it contained a "shadow of good things to come" (Heb 10:1). The ordained rituals of sacrifice, service, washings, etc., were designed to familiarize men with the salvation that would be accomplished by the "Lamb of God," who would "take away" the sin of the world.
One of the important concepts developed therein was that of "perfection." This was produced in the sacrificial system. There, men were taught of the divine requirement for flawlessness. The sacrifices themselves had to be perfect to be accepted.
In a variety of offerings, the divine mandate was made clear: perfection is imperative! NO BLEMISH, SPOT, OF FLAW COULD BE FOUND IN SOMETHING OFFERED TO GOD.
This lesson is exceedingly difficult to learn! After 1,500 years of the Law's administration, and 2,000 years of the New Covenant, it still eludes the masses. God cannot receive imperfect offerings. He cannot receive imperfect people. His nature does not allow Him to do so. He revealed this to Moses when He showed him His glory. "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, AND THAT WILL BY NO MEANS CLEAR THE GUILTY . . . " (Ex 34:6-7). Provision must be made for the perfecting of the guilty. God cannot simply overlook, or "clear" the guilty. His nature will not allow Him to do so.
I do not believe this principle has been perceived by the religious masses--at least not to any appreciable degree. This is what required the entrance of Christ into this world, and the vicarious sacrifice of Himself in the behalf of sinful men. Men needed Jesus in order to be pure, and God needed Him in order to justly make men pure.
-- Tomorrow: IT IS A NEW COVENANT --