How Did Ancient Sacrifices Point to Jesus Christ?

Image

an altar surrounded by animals

Illustrations by Denis Freitas

Malachi warned against offering polluted sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord required “a pure offering” (Malachi 1:11) and would not have His table polluted (see Malachi 1:12).

The sacrifices had to be pure because they “pointed to the way God has provided to bring us back into His presence—Jesus Christ and His Atonement.”¹ To offer anything less was a mockery of both Christ’s perfection and His sacrifice.

Consider what these four types of sacrifice in the Old Testament can teach us about how to come unto Christ:

Burnt offering: A whole animal offering symbolizing the obligation to surrender to God (see Leviticus 1).
Meat or meal offering: An unbloody offering of corn, wine, and incense included with every peace and burnt offering (see Leviticus 2).
Peace offering: An animal sacrifice made by someone at peace with God seeking further peace (see Leviticus 3).
Sin offering: An animal sacrifice to atone for a sin and obtain fellowship with Jehovah (see Leviticus 4 and 5).

The Savior’s Atonement marked the end of these sacrifices. However, members of the Lord’s Church should be willing to sacrifice all things for the Lord. How do we observe the law of sacrifice today? (See 3 Nephi 9:19–20.)