“When a ruler hath sinned,” or when one of the people sin through ignorance, in any case, whether the sin or trespass be against the Lord or against the neighbor, there must be the sin offering. Without shedding of blood there is no remission. We do not propose to examine at this time the various details of the sin and trespass offerings in these chapters, but to take up the great principle, the absolute requirement of atonement. It should be observed that in these cases of sin, and atonement, it is not propitiation, but actual substitution. Propitiation is the foundation of all relationship with a holy God. This was shown on the day of atonement. God must be glorified by the death of Christ, this is the very first thing. the blood of the expiatory goat was brought into the very presence of God, and sprinkled before, and on, the mercy-seat. And no hand was laid on the head of that victim. And the bodies of those beasts must be burnt outside the camp. The blood was sprinkled on the holy’ place, and the tabernacle. It was for the priests’ household, and all the congregation. It typified the blood of Jesus, as it is written, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.”
In this sense He tasted death for everything. (Heb. 2:99But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9).) He thus glorified God that His love could flow out in righteousness to the whole world. “God so loved.” God is love, and God is light, and an infinitely holy God could not dwell in the midst of a sinful people, and in a sin-defiled universe, and be indifferent to sin. His righteousness demanded propitiation; and the blood of propitiation must be shed and sprinkled first on the golden mercy-seat, and then sprinkled on that which typified the church, the people, and the universe, as seen in Lev. 16.
And all this is a picture of Him “whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.” (Rom. 3:2525Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25).) All God’s dealings with this whole world have reference to that propitiation. It is what Christ was to God in His propitiatory death that establishes the righteousness of God in proclaiming forgiveness to all. “Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference.”
Now, as atonement, or propitiation, was made for all. Israel, as well as for the house of the priest, so, “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.” Oh think as the body of the beast whose blood was brought into the sanctuary was carried out without the camp and burnt, so Jesus was taken out of the city, away from the temple, to a place of a skull. There the holy One, without blemish, was made sin for us. There God was glorified, and His righteous claims met.
But to return to our chapters. (Lev. 4; 5) We do not here find that aspect of the atonement, but substitution. In each case it is more like the people’s goat of substitution on the day of atonement. The hand is laid on the head of the substitute. It is the transfer of sin; and the victim is dealt with in the place and stead of the one, or those who have sinned. Every sin must be confessed and laid on the head of the sin offering. All this evidently could not make the fallen sinner perfect, or give peace of conscience. There was not a moment in which the person, whatever position he occupied, from the priest to one of the people, might not have some sin of ignorance, which needed the death of a substitute.
We will now turn to a few scriptures to see the way of God in dealing with His people’s sins. Thus He speaks of His own people Israel, “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity.” “Come, now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa. 1:4, 184Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. (Isaiah 1:4)
18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18).) He speaks again, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will riot remember thy sins.” What words are these for God to speak to a guilty nation, or to the reader or writer, as once guilty sinners? (Isa. 43:2525I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25).)
Or even yet more. “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens, for the Lord bath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains,” &c. (Isa. 44:22, 2322I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 23Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44:22‑23).) Mark the joy of God in pardoning our sins, to be remembered against us no more. The Lord bath done it. But how? And how are we to know it, and share with God in this blessed certainty?
We pass on to another chapter. (Isa. 53) Here is a despised person, rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Yes, a life of griefs and sorrows. A wonderful discovery is made, whether to the soul now, or Israel in days to come—that this Person was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. Here is an actual substitute, that is dealt with, in our stead, for our transgressions and our iniquities. Just as on the day of atonement the iniquities, of Israel were laid on the head of the substitute: or when a priest, or ruler, or the congregation, sinned, the sin was transferred to the head of the victim, and atonement must be made in order that sin might be forgiven. So here a person takes the place of all those offerings. “And the Lord bath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” “For the transgression of my people was he stricken.” By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities.” He bare the sin of many.” (Read Isa. 53. 4-12.) Thus this Person is the great Antitype of all the sacrifices of the law. Who is this, the sinner’s substitute; or rather, the substitute of His people, bearing their sins? in another place He says, “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked of the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” All this did He suffer from the hands of men.
His bitter cry when bearing sins, and enduring the wrath due to them, is heard in the Psalm “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
It is also said of Him: “Behold, a virgin shall ‘conceive, and hear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel!” (Isa. 7:1414Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14).) Wonderful things are said of that Son in chapter 9:6,7. And further, when God heard the confession of Daniel’s sins, and the sins of His people, He sent the angel Gabriel to announce the fact, that it should be the Messiah who should “make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness.” (Dan. 9:2424Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Daniel 9:24).) Mark, this is a great advance in revealed truth. All the offerings find a fulfillment in a personal Substitute—the righteous Servant of Jehovah. (Isa. 53) And that Person who shall make reconciliation for iniquity, and bring in everlasting righteousness, is the Messiah. God will soon open the eyes of His ancient, people the Jews to see this.
We have not yet had the name of this rejected and despised One, the sinner’s Substitute, and the Messiah, but as the time drew nigh, indeed was come, the due time announced by Daniel, this same Gabriel, angel of the Lord, was sent again to announce the birth and name of this long foretold One. He spake to Joseph, saying, Joseph, thou Son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS [that is, Savior]: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall he with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which, being interpreted, is, God with us.” (Matt. 1:20-2320But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:20‑23); Luke 1:26-3326And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:26‑33).)
Thus have we learned that the Substitute of Isa. 7 is the Messiah, and that He made reconciliation for iniquities. That Messiah’s name is JESUS. And that He who shall save His people from their sins, is God—Jesus, the Son of the Highest. Many glories await Him, but let us pursue our subject—Jesus, the bearer of His people’s sins.
If we have the testimony of Gabriel at His birth, we have also His own testimony at His death. He had come up to Jerusalem to be betrayed and crucified. (Matt. 26:22Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. (Matthew 26:2).) It was written in the volume of the book, Lo I come to do thy will.” And now the hour was come. “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:27, 2827And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:27‑28).)
On that very night He was betrayed. At six the next morning He, the holy, holy One, was condemned. At nine He was crucified. At twelve darkness covered the earth until three. The awful cry was heard, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” He was Jesus, He was wounded for our transgressions, Jesus was bruised for our iniquities.
Reader, can you say, He loved me, and gave Himself for me? Reconciliation was made for iniquity. Solemn words! He cried, “It is finished,” and bowed His blessed head, and gave up the ghost. The atonement was finished. His body was laid in the sepulcher, but not to remain God raised Him from the dead: proof, everlasting proof, that His one atoning sacrifice was accepted forever. He showed Himself to His disciples in full proof of His resurrection from the dead. Ever to be remembered were His first words to His redeemed little company, “peace be unto you.” And He showed them His Lands and His side. Earth had rejected Him heaven was opened unto Him. There was no righteousness in this world which had rejected, and killed the only righteous one. The righteousness of God was exalted in receiving Him up above all heavens.
God the Father had given His only-begotten Son. He was with God, and was God in the beginning. The Son had accomplished the will. of God in His one sacrifice for our sins. He was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. And though this world had rejected, despised, year killed with the most shameful death, the holy One of God; yet all this was to accomplish the will of God. And God did not leave the world in its own darkness: but He sent the Holy Ghost to remain here to lead and guide believers, into all truth. Let us then next look at the explanation the Holy Ghost gives of the effect of the atoning death of Christ, since He came down on the day of Pentecost. May He, the Spirit, guide us into all truth, to the glory of God.