Leviticus 3:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The sons of Aaron shall burn this on the altar along with the burnt offering on the wood over the fire. It is a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. If one offers a peace offering from small cattle, the same instructions apply (Lev. 3:1-6). The burnt offering was not limited to oxen; sheep and goats were also accepted, and the process remained consistent regardless of the type of sacrificial animal. The Law demands that every sacrifice, regardless of its gender, be completely unblemished. Immanuel, as the ultimate sacrifice, embodies this requirement: He is the pure, sinless offering who removes the sins of the world, symbolically represented as a goat, since the goat is traditionally used for sin offerings.

However, one must pay close attention to the symbolic nature of the sacrifice. The Law does not distinctly specify the genders of the sacrificial animals, implying that both male and female qualities represent Christ. The male signifies leadership, while the female denotes submission and governance, as this gender dynamic reflects a hierarchy in dignity. Nevertheless, the sacrificial animal must be without defect, just as Christ is without sin. Hence, He proclaimed, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me" (John 14:30) and challenged the Jews regarding His purity, declaring, "Which of you shall reprove Me with unrighteousness? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?" (John 8:46). Thus, the sacred sacrifice had to be faultless, presented before the Lord at the entrance of the tabernacle; its blood was shed upon the base of the altar, with the entrails destined for burning. This act symbolizes the death of the Son, who willingly gave His life for all humanity, evident before God the Father.

As Scripture states, "Dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!" (Psalm 115:6), so surely can God not honor the death of His Son? Indeed, He values it highly and regards it with reverence, contrasting the honor of His Son with the disdain for the sinful. The sacrificial animal was slain before the sacred doors, reflecting that Immanuel’s death opened the way into the holy of holies, granting believers access to the celestial congregation. Through His death, we enter the heavenly tabernacle which the Lord Himself constructed, the lofty Jerusalem, chosen as the mother of the saints, and sustenance for the angels. The sacredness of Christ’s death is further reinforced by the Law’s command that blood be shed upon the altar, representing the Church, with the blood symbolizing the soul.

The offering of the internal organs—the fat, liver, and kidneys—depicts that in Christ, all is sacred and pleasing. Wise ones assert that the liver is the seat of desires, while the kidneys are pivotal in discernment of good and evil, akin to the rational capabilities of the mind. The divine Psalmist thus sings, "Before Thee all my desire" (Psalms 37:10) and, "For Thou hast arranged my inward parts, O Lord" (Psalms 138:13). Christ radiates divine perfection, akin to the best-fed animals whose fat signifies nourishment from heavenly gifts. Therefore, Christ is holy, unblemished, and virtuous, a fragrant offering, exemplified in all forms: calf, ram, and goat. He became the redemptive sacrifice, uniquely giving Himself for all. To God the Father, with the Holy Spirit, be glory forever. Amen.

In imitation of His sacrifice, we offer ourselves to God, turning away from sin and undergoing this holy death, living "in righteousness," as prescribed (1 Pet. 2:24). As an expression of gratitude, we dedicate our lives to Him, adorned with the glory of divine love. This principle is reflected in the Law of Leviticus: If the offering is a peace offering, it must be without blemish. The offerer must lay their hand on the sacrifice and slay it at the tabernacle entrance with the priests sprinkling the blood around the altar. The appointed fat from the entrails, kidneys, and liver are to be burnt as a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord (Lev. 3:1-5).

The sacrificial bull must be without fault; purity is required of those who present offerings to God. The act of placing hands upon the sacrifice signifies a transferal of worthiness. The fat from the interior represents the well-being of the spirit, nourished by divine guidance. The abundance of divine gifts fills the minds of the faithful, making them sacred in the sight of God. The kidneys illuminate the rational faculties, adept at distinguishing between harmful and beneficial. The Apostle Paul admonishes, "Do not despise prophecy. Test everything; hold fast to what is good" (1 Thess. 5:20-21). The kidneys serve as metaphors for our reasoning capabilities—sacred and dedicated to God, guiding us towards beneficial choices. The divine Poet passionately acknowledges, "Thou hast made my womb, O Lord" (Psalm 138:13). The liver reveals the heart's longings and aspirations, for every being is driven by desires that must be offered in devotion to God, reflecting the Psalmist's sentiment, "O Lord, before Thee is all my desire" (Psalm 37:10). Only those whose aspirations are aligned with God can truly celebrate this calling.