There's Jesus!

“If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the LORD. Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and the LORD will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. Then slaughter the young bull in the LORD’s presence, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, will present the animal’s blood by splattering it against all sides of the altar that stands at the entrance to the Tabernacle. Then skin the animal and cut it into pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest will build a wood fire on the altar. They will arrange the pieces of the offering, including the head and fat, on the wood burning on the altar. But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. [Leviticus 1.3-9]

The death of the animal sacrificed as a burnt offering mentioned here and in the following verses served as a substitute for the death of the people of Israel. Because death and hell are the punishment for unrighteousness, this animal's repeated representative death and cremation was acceptable to God in the place of the people until such time that a Perfect and Permanent Sacrifice could be made.

Not only was Jesus' blood shed as the Perfect and Permanent Sacrifice for all mankind, but He descended into hell to complete the process of Redemption. His blood (death) gave Him access to hell where He reclaimed the keys to the Kingdom that Adam had lost.

Isn't it interesting that when the soldier pierced Jesus' side (where His internal organs were) on the Cross that water and blood came out? And, isn't it interesting that that water and blood would naturally have flowed downward covering ("washing") His legs as well?

It is also interesting that this burnt offering, in its completion of being burned, was a pleasing aroma to the LORD! It was ultimate faith that Jesus demonstrated on the Cross. How do I know that? Because it was a pleasing aroma to the LORD!

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. [Hebrews 11.6]

Jesus believed that His death, even though He could have mustered all the forces of heaven to His rescue, would serve the greater Kingdom purpose. Perhaps that is why Jesus said these words earlier:

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]

Jesus' faith on the Cross was motivated by the highest and purest love because that is how faith works.

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. [Galatians 5.6]

The burnt offering mentioned above speaks of Jesus. Jesus' substitutionary death then speaks of faith. Jesus' faith then ultimately and flawlessly speaks of love.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

Amazing.

Father, thank You for the symbolism found in the Tabernacle and eventually the Temple that clearly points us to Jesus.