THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
He is the bread of life that comes down from heaven (John 6:33) and originates from above. Additionally, He offers liberation from sin and frees those on earth from the shackles of ignorance, dedicating Himself as a pleasing aroma to God the Father. This will become clear as you reflect with the eyes of your heart on His sacrifice, resembling a bull offered as a burnt offering and a goat for the sins of ignorance among the people. For, as it is written, "who can understand the sins of sin?" (Psalm 18:13). Observe how the lawgiver distinctly designates the purification achieved through Christ as transcending the service of the law.
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He states that if you disregard the commandments of Moses or are negligent in observing the law, you will receive forgiveness through the blood, particularly when the bull is slain and the goat is sacrificed, all foreshadowing Christ. While the law prescribes penalties for transgressors, it is the precious Blood of Christ that liberates from condemnation and absolves the guilt of ignorance. He gave His life to eradicate the sin of the world. Thus, we can understand Christ through the bread as the life-giving source; through the calf, He is perceived as a burnt offering, presenting Himself as a fragrant offering to God the Father; and in the image of the goat, He became a sin offering, put to death for our transgressions. Like bread, He is spiritually symbolized, as well as being represented by a bullock, which was offered as a burnt offering with the fragrance of incense, and by a goat that was sacrificed for sins of ignorance. Conversely, while He is spiritually depicted as a sheaf, He is also the perfect one-year-old lamb (cf. Lev. 23:12), for Christ embodies perfection and is devoid of any flaws. He was entirely without blame, knowing "no sin" and having "neither was there any deceit in His mouth" (1 Pet. 2:22). He is likewise likened to fine flour, light and plentiful with oil, representing life overflowing with joy. For we find our life in Him, rejoicing "in the hope of things prepared" (Col. 1:5); and, nourished by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we echo what has been proclaimed in the Psalms: "I have anointed my head with oil" (Ps. 22:5), for we have received forgiveness through faith in Christ.