THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
He is the bread that gives life, descending from on high, as stated in John 6:33. He liberates from sin and relieves humanity from the burdens of ignorance, offering Himself as a pleasing aroma to God the Father. You will grasp this truth vividly when you reflect on His sacrifice, likened to a bull offered as a burnt offering or a goat for the people's unknowing sins. As it is written in Psalm 18:13, "who can comprehend the errors of sin?" Notice how clearly the lawgiver speaks of the purification accomplished through Christ, which surpasses the old covenant.
Read more (262 words)
He declares that if you violate the commands of Moses and neglect the law, you will find remission of sins granted to you through the shedding of blood, specifically when the bull is slain and the goat is offered—this exemplifies the mystery of Christ. While the law stipulates punishment for transgressors, it is through the precious Blood of Christ that we are rescued from judgment and absolved of guilt. He gave His life to eradicate the sin of the world. Thus, the bread symbolizes Christ as the life-giving sustenance; through the calf, He is recognized as a burnt offering, presenting Himself as a sweet fragrance to God; and in the form of a goat, He becomes a sin offering, sacrificed for our transgressions. In His spiritual essence, Christ is represented by bread, yet also by the bullock sacrificed as a burnt offering and the goat offered for the sins of ignorance. Conversely, while representing the first fruits, He is also the perfect yearling lamb (cf. Lev. 23:12), for Christ embodies perfection, free from any flaw. He was utterly without blame, knowing "no sin," and "neither was there any guile found in His mouth" (1 Pet. 2:22). He is like the finest flour, light and enriched with oil, symbolizing abundant life and joy. In Him, we find our existence, rejoicing "in the hope laid up for us" (Col. 1:5), and by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we affirm the words of the Psalms: "I have anointed my head with oil" (Ps. 22:5), for we have received forgiveness through our faith in Christ.