#21 Leviticus and us

“Woe is us, Woe is us, We have come to Leviticus.” I don’t remember where I first heard that humorous phrase, but it captures the feelings many of us have as we approach one of the least appreciated books of the Bible. This is really quite unfortunate as Leviticus has much to say to N.T. Christians about living in the presence of a Holy God and offering unto Him a life of sacrifice that pleases Him. Like every other book of the Bible, it is ultimately a book about Jesus and its timeless message points to the necessity of a perfect sacrifice to make it possible for sinners like you and I to gain access to the presence of God.

The book of Leviticus is quoted or alluded to about forty times in the N.T. consider just three that show how important an understanding of this book is to us today.

For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another (Mark 9:49-50).
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship (Rom. 12:1).
But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God (Phil. 4:18).

We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Heb. 13:10-16).

The key to understanding these texts is to be found in understanding the Old Testament sacrifices, as explained in Leviticus. The same can be said of the other portions of the New Testament where concepts are conveyed in Old Testament terminology. If we don’t understand the Old Testament terminology and concepts, we will not grasp the New Testament meaning.