A question to our Jewish Friends...What was the steps, role, and purpose of the Sacrificial Lamb in the Temple

Question

Unfortunately, most of today's Christians are not taught a good history of Israel, from the time of Abraham, to the time of Christ. They mostly don't know that the Arabs and Israelites have a shared ancestry, and that the Jews gained forgiveness of their sins through the sacrifice done by the High Priests in the Temple.

It is unfortunate, as there is a lot to learn from the ancient Jews that apply to our lives today, and though I recognize you do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, Christians really need to understand why he was considered the Lamb of God, and this can only be done by learning about the sacrifice of the lamb in the Temple.

I would hazard a guess that with the exception of JW children, most Christian children could not even draw a diagram of the ancient Temple grounds.

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses are great students of the Hebrew Scriptures (they even refuse to call it an "Old Testament"). Jehovah's Witnesses appreciate the richness and robustness of the Law and the prophets, and recognize the literal thousands of ways they point toward Christianity. They recognize that a substantial number of the "kings and priests" who rule forever alongside Jesus must be ethnic Jews.

Jehovah's Witnesses are also unique in applying many of the principles of God's dealings with the nation of Israel to the modern Christian congregation.

Like Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses reject the idea that Jesus and the Almighty are the same person. Witnesses believe the bible to teach that Jesus the Son and God the Father are separate distinct persons, and the Father created Jesus as His firstborn son.

(Colossians 1:15) the firstborn of all creation

(Mark 10:18) Jesus said to him: 'Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God.

(Revelation 3:14) the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God

(Philippians 2:5-6) Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God

(John 8:42) Neither have I come of my own initiative at all, but that One sent me forth

(John 12:49) I have not spoken out of my own impulse, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a commandment as to what to tell and what to speak

(John 14:28) I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am

(1 Corinthians 15:28) But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him

(Matthew 20:23) this sitting down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father

(1 Corinthians 11:3) I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; ...in turn the head of the Christ is God

(John 20:17) I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.

(Deuteronomy 6:4) Jehovah our God is one Jehovah

(1 Corinthians 8:4-6) There is no God but one. For even though there are those who are called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many "gods" and many "lords," there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him

Thanks again for an opportunity to share what the bible actually says about the distinct persons of Jesus Christ the Son and Jehovah God the Father!

Answer 2

Christ's sacrifice was the fulfillment of what happened on the day of atonement, so lets go through those steps. There were 2 goats, both without blemish. The first goat was sacrificed on the alter outside the tabernacle by the high priest, then he took some of the blood from that goat inside to the Holy Place (not before bathing of course). Then he would burn some incense before entering into the Most Holy Place. He would then step inside the Most Holy Place and sprinkle the blood on the atonement cover (the part of the ark of the covenant between the cheribum). This was for the forgiveness of the sins of all the people.
The second goat was then brought before the High priest. He would lay his hands on the goat and say the sins of all the people of Israel, placing the sin upon its head. Then the goat was sent outside of the camp (and tradition says that he was followed and killed to ensure he never ventured back).
Jesus fulfilled the role of both goats. First, he was sacrificed for the forgiveness of the sins of all the people. Second, he takes the sin away from his people through the work of the Holy Spirit (sanctification). This is the 2 part work and nature of Christ. His humanly sacrifice -man- and his delivering those who follow him from their sin -deity-
This is why what Peter says to the Religious leaders in Acts 2 is so significant. "Be baptized for the remission of sins and for the gift of the Holy Spirit". Essentially, he says to those who crucified Christ, "show that you believe now that he is the Messiah by being baptized with the understanding that he really is the fulfillment of the law".

BTW- these are the basics of that day. I agree with you that really investing some time into studying it would really create a significantly more beautiful picture of what Jesus' sacrifice was really all about.

Answer 3

I highly suggest that you crack open the book of Leviticus.

You will learn the following things:

- There is no single sacrificial lamb
- Not all sacrifices are lambs
- Not all offereings were animals
- Not all offerings were for the purpose of atonement
- Not all sins could be atoned through sacrifice

Interestingly, the sacrificial lamb that many Christians compare Jesus to is the Passover sacrifice since he was killed on the same day (day before Passover the holiday). However, that sacrifice was NOT for the purpose of atonement.

Answer 4

well to answer your question directly the sacrificial lamb (Pascal sacrifice) was part of the celebration commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.

It was part and parcel with the eating of the Matzoh and retelling the exodus.

It was never considered a sacrifice for atonement or removal of sin. There were other sacrifices for that.


As for the nature of sin, sacrifice and forgiveness that is a separate discussion which I will discuss with you if you so wish.

Answer 5

I beg to differ with you. Most of the Christians I know understand this concept very well. We set up models of the tabernacle and temple of the Old Testament and study in depth the rituals, sacrifices, and even the structures as types and shadows of Christ. Perhaps you should widen your experience of Christians.