THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril explains that the offering represents the purification achieved through Christ's death, while our commitment is the dedication of a life devoted to holiness and service to God. It is crucial that the law forewarns and explicitly affirms that only those without blame shall be accepted at this offering. Among the sacrifices, some symbolize Christ's sacrificial death for us, and others illustrate our dedication of life to God; thus, it is stated that they will be without blemish and not suffer any harm. Christ is indeed blameless, as He “created no sin” (1 Pet. 2:22). However, God will not accept us if we remain tainted and burdened by sin.
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In Leviticus, it is stated: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Declare unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them: If any man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that dwell among the Israelites, by any vow, or by diligence, offer his sacrifice, which is offered to the Lord as a burnt offering, that he may obtain favour with God by this, the sacrifice shall be without blemish, male, of cattle, of sheep, and of goats; you shall not offer any animal that has blemish on it... for it shall not gain you favour. And if any man offer a peace-offering unto the Lord, in fulfilment of a vow, or in diligence... whether of cattle or of small cattle, the sacrifice shall be without blemish, that it may be acceptable to God: There shall be no blemish upon it; an animal that is blind, or corrupt, or ugly, or diseased, or crusty, or lousy, such shall not be offered unto the Lord, neither shall ye sacrifice them upon the altar of the Lord; a bullock and a lamb with members disproportionately long or short may be offered as a sacrifice of diligence; but if by vow, it shall not please God; an animal whose jatras are crushed, broken, torn, or cut off, thou shalt not offer unto the Lord, neither shalt thou do it in thy land; and out of the hands of foreigners shalt thou not offer all such animals as a gift unto thy God, because there is corruption upon them, blemish upon them: they shall not gain you favour” (Lev. 22:17-25).
It is clear how the law instructs both the Israelites and those from outside the community, such as proselytes, to strictly examine their sacrifices for any imperfections. We are to present what is strong and unblemished, symbolizing purity and freedom from passion. Softness and weakness of spirit, alongside inner afflictions, are wholly displeasing to God and must be set aside. Do we not recognize that which carries these flaws as unsanctified? Palladius responds: How could it be otherwise? Cyril continues: Thus, the weak and compromised are rejected; only the strong, reminiscent of masculine nature and linked with chastity, is accepted. Emmanuel embodies this strength and purity, for He is truly the power of God and knows no sin. He also embodies a different kind of husbandry, as the male is esteemed above the female and is inherently more dominant. Yet, the Son far surpasses all and rules over everything, having taken on our likeness and serving as a shepherd among us for our sake.