THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The suffering of Christ holds a redemptive purpose. Additionally, the law elucidates the nature of Christ's sacrifice: when offering a peace offering from cattle, whether male or female, the individual must present it to the Lord without any imperfections. The offerer should place their hand upon the head of the sacrifice and slay it at the entrance of the tabernacle. The priests, descendants of Aaron, are to sprinkle the blood around the altar. From the peace offering, the offerer is to provide the fat covering the entrails, the fat surrounding them, the two kidneys and the fat on them, along with the membrane over the liver. The priests will then burn these on the altar together with the burnt offering, creating a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
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If someone decides to offer a small animal as a peace offering, the same principles apply (Lev. 3:1-6; Lev. 1:1-6). The burnt offerings could come from various livestock; sheep and goats could also be used in the same manner, adhering to the law's guidelines regarding their unblemished condition. This regulation indicates that Christ Himself, Immanuel, is the ultimate offering—He is the perfect and spotless Lamb, bearing the sin of humanity, and fulfilling the role of the sin offering as designated in the law.
It is worth noting that the scriptures do not distinctly specify the gender of the sacrifice—it symbolizes both male and female. The male aspect of Christ represents authority and leadership, while the female symbolizes His subjection to the law. Regardless, the animal required for sacrifice must be without blemish, which perfectly aligns with Christ's purity. He proclaimed, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me" (John 14:30), and to the Jewish leaders, He affirmed, "Which of you shall reprove Me with unrighteousness? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?" (John 8:46). Consequently, the sacrifice was to be without blame, offered before the Lord at the entrance of the tabernacle, with the laying on of hands symbolizing the transfer of sin. As its blood was poured out on the altar, the entrails were to be burned. In this sacrifice, the death of the Son, who gave His life for the world, was also visible to God the Father. If it is stated, "Dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!" (Psalm 115:6), would not God also honor the death of His Son? Indeed, He holds it in high regard, recognizing its sanctity while wisely turning away from what is unholy.
The manner of sacrifice served as a profound image. Immanuel's death opened the way into the Holy of Holies for believers, granting us access to the heavenly church, the New Jerusalem, the exalted city and mother of the saints. The sacredness of Christ's death is further highlighted by the law's provision that His blood should touch the altar, representing His sacrifice for the Church. The altar symbolizes the Church, while the blood represents the soul. The offering of the inner organs—the fat, liver, and kidneys—signifies that, in Christ, all is sacred and pleasing. Wise individuals understand that the liver is associated with desires, while the kidneys symbolize discernment, sorting the harmful from what is beneficial. The psalmist reflects this by stating, "Before Thee all my desire" (Psalms 37:10) and, "For Thou hast arranged my inward parts, O Lord" (Psalms 138:13), indicating that Immanuel embodies divine perfection. Just as the finest animals contain rich fat, so too is the mind of Christ perfectly nourished by heavenly sustenance.
Christ stands holy and blameless, a fragrant offering, fulfilling the role of the cessation of sacrifice in every form—calf, ram, and goat. He is our redemptive sacrifice, wholly giving Himself for all. To God the Father, with the Holy Spirit, be glory forever. Amen. As we offer ourselves to God, dying to sin and embracing this holy death, we live "in righteousness," as stated, "by His wounds you were healed" (1 Pet. 2:24). In gratitude, we dedicate our lives to Him, shining with the glory of divine love.
This truth is affirmed in the laws of Leviticus: "If his sacrifice be a peace-offering, and if he bring of cattle, male or female, let him offer it unto the Lord, without blemish... . And he shall offer out of the peace-offering to the Lord the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is upon the entrails" (Lev. 3:1-5; Lev. 1:1-5). The bullock offered must be pure, as those who present their gifts to God must strive for purity, distancing themselves from vice. The sacrifice was made at the sacred doors of the tabernacle, signifying the laying on of hands, with the fat and kidneys sacrificed alongside the liver. The fat may represent the health of the mind and the heart, cultivated by the guidance of the Spirit; good nourishment leads to spiritual abundance.
The kidneys show the mind's ability to reason, distinguishing what is harmful from what is good. The Apostle Paul reminds us to "Test everything; hold on to what is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). The kidneys, being the body's classification system, illustrate the discernment necessary for wise living. Thus, the reasoning ability of the pious is dedicated to God, always discerning and valuing what contributes to good. The Psalmist, expressing gratitude, acknowledges, "Thou hast made my womb, O Lord" (Psalm 138:13). The liver symbolizes the soul's desires, driving thirst and intention, indicative of a heart aligned with God's will. Therefore, we must dedicate our very desires to God, echoing the Psalmist's declaration, "O Lord, before Thee is all my desire" (Psalm 37:10). Only those whose aspirations are aimed at what pleases God can proclaim such conviction.