Part 4 - Free From the Penalty for Sins

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Identification.

Let’s now look closer at the blood & body of the Lord that was given for us. If we see and understand the implications and working of the offering of Christ on the cross, we can better appreciate the matter of our identification with Christ’s Cross.

First, we need to see that the atoning blood of Christ was given for two reasons.

  1. His blood took away our sins. The sinful acts that we have committed and may yet commit were washed away at the moment of our regeneration. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
  2. His blood turned away the wrath of God – it rather was poured out upon Christ in our stead. Col. 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: We, in the past, were the children of disobedience, living by the direction of Sin spirit (Eph 2:2).

God’s objective in Christ here is that we might be atoned, brought into agreement into oneness with God, yet in such a way that God’s righteous demands would still be paid and not compromised. Sin demanded punishment – death. This is what Our Lord did for us in shedding His blood and dying for us.

The Old Testament offerings that Israel was instructed to make are replete with symbolism of the purpose of the blood and body of the Lord that was given at and on the Cross of Calvary for us. First we see the blood of an innocent shed to cover the nakedness and sin of Adam and Eve in the garden, when God covered them with the skins of an innocent animal. Blood was shed to cover sin. Then, here in Leviticus 16:7, 15-16 we see the purpose of His blood shed for us.

Leviticus 16:7 And he shall take the two (male) goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Leviticus 16:15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 16And he shall make an atonement (reconciliation) for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Here, in the shedding of the innocent blood of this first goat, we have another clear pre-incarnate picture of the important purpose of the shed blood of Christ on our behalf.