The Fourth Servants’ Preparation Meeting – Symbols in the Holy Bible: Sacrifices

1️⃣ The Beginning of the Sacrifice and the Meaning of Atonement

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III teaches that the first sacrifice covered Adam and Eve, showing that sin brings shame, and that the sacrifice provides covering and atonement. Hence the concept that the sacrifice covers sin.

2️⃣ The Development of Sacrifice in Salvation History

He explains that Abel offered from the firstborn of his flock, and Abraham elevated the meaning by offering his only son as a symbol of Christ. The Law of Moses later organized the types of sacrifices and explained their spiritual depth.

3️⃣ The Feelings of the Person Offering a Sacrifice

He states that offering a sacrifice expresses:

• The person’s awareness of being a sinner.

• His belief that the wages of sin is death.

• His confession of sin openly.

• His belief in substitution: a pure soul dies for a sinful soul.

• The connection of forgiveness with blood: “Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

4️⃣ The Passover Lamb and Its Meanings

The Passover lamb symbolizes Christ who saves by His blood. The fire symbolizes Christ’s sufferings and God’s justice, the unleavened bread symbolizes purity, and the bitter herbs symbolize remembering our sins that caused Christ’s pain. The readiness for travel symbolizes spiritual pilgrimage.

5️⃣ The Burnt Offering: Pleasing the Heart of God

The burnt offering presents the first aspect of redemption: satisfying divine justice. It is wholly burnt until it becomes ashes, symbolizing perfect acceptance. The repeated phrase “a sweet aroma to the Lord” shows full reconciliation.

6️⃣ The Sacrifice and the Human Person

He explains symbols such as laying hands on the sacrifice to express acceptance, faith, union, and transfer of sin. Washing the legs and inner parts symbolizes internal and external purity before offering oneself to God.

7️⃣ The Grain Offering: The Pure Life of Christ

The grain offering symbolizes Christ’s earthly life: purity, humility, and self-giving. Oil represents the Holy Spirit, salt represents service, and the absence of honey represents Christ’s avoidance of earthly pleasure. The presence of leaven in the Eucharistic bread symbolizes that Christ carried our sins.

8️⃣ A Spiritual Call to the Servant

He calls every servant to become a “spiritual burnt offering”: offering heart, body, and inner depth in obedience to God, living in repentance and purity, and understanding that sacrifice is not theory but a life to be lived.

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