Biblical Symbols (Sacrifices, Burnt Offerings, and the Passover Lamb)
Pope Shenouda III speaks about the symbols of the Holy Bible, especially the symbolism of sacrifices, explaining their beginning, development, and spiritual meanings, and how they pointed to the work of Christ in redemption.
He begins by explaining that the first sacrifice was connected with covering Adam and Eve after the Fall, where the sacrifice symbolizes covering and atonement, in contrast to the nakedness and shame resulting from sin.
He then explains that the idea of sacrifice continued throughout human history, as Abel offered from the firstborn of his flock and from its fat portions, and then appeared in the story of Abraham and Isaac as the image of the beloved and only son who is offered.
During the time of Moses the prophet, the sacrifices were organized clearly, especially in the Book of Leviticus, while the Passover lamb was given a central place as an annual sacrifice.
Spiritual Message
Pope Shenouda explains that the person who offered a sacrifice was learning that the wages of sin is death, that he must recognize and confess his sin, and that the sacrifice dies on his behalf.
The unblemished sacrifice also symbolized a pure life dying on behalf of a sinful person, and the shedding of blood became associated in the human mind with forgiveness and atonement.
He explains the Passover lamb as a symbol of Christ: the blood was a sign of salvation, the lamb roasted with fire pointed to Christ’s sufferings, while the unleavened bread pointed to righteousness and purity, and leaven pointed to evil.
He emphasizes that salvation through the blood of Christ does not mean that a person may live without repentance or holiness; rather, his inner life must be like unleavened bread, meaning a life of purity, righteousness, and sanctification.
Educational Lesson
Pope Shenouda explains that the sacrifices of the Old Testament gradually presented a picture of Christ’s work, and that the burnt offering especially symbolized the fulfillment of divine justice, reconciliation with God, and pleasing the heart of God that had been offended by sin.
The sin offering and trespass offering were connected with the salvation of the sinful person, and Christ united on the Cross the meanings symbolized by these different sacrifices.
He also explains the meaning of placing the hand on the head of the sacrifice: it symbolizes acceptance, substitution, and the transfer of sin to the sacrifice, while also pointing to a relationship between the person and Christ and to accepting Christ as a sacrifice on his behalf.
Practical Application
The teaching calls a person to see himself not merely as someone who has benefited from redemption, but as someone who should offer his life to God as a living and holy sacrifice.
He emphasizes that repentance means removing the “leaven” from one’s life, meaning removing evil and wickedness, and that holiness is not temporary but should encompass the whole of life.
The Passover lamb also points to the feeling that a person is a stranger and traveler in this world, journeying toward the heavenly Jerusalem; therefore, he should live in spiritual readiness.
The final message is that Christ’s work on the Cross is the complete fulfillment of what the ancient sacrifices symbolized: reconciliation with God, fulfillment of divine justice, and the salvation of humanity. Therefore, a person should respond to this work with faith, acceptance, repentance, and a life of holiness.
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