My study of Exodus 29 took me deep into the symbolism of sacrifice. As I read of Aaron and his sons placing their hands upon the bullock, it seemed clear that this act sanctified the offering for what was to come. Immediately my thoughts turned to the sacrament prayers: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify…” Just a thought—but a meaningful one.
So what does the bullock represent? To me, it is Jesus Christ. It is His blood that is poured upon the altar. His blood that is symbolized in the sacrament each Sunday. Not mine. No one has asked me to sacrifice my blood—only my sins.
Reading further, I noticed that all of the bullock is used in the offering—the blood, fat, liver, kidneys—everything consumed upon the altar. Yet the flesh is burned outside the camp, as part of the sin offering. Why outside? Why separate?
Again I return to the question: What does the bullock represent? I believe it is Christ—who suffered for our sins, our pains, our transgressions, whether caused by our own choices or by the hardships of mortality. All of Him was given. Completely. Fully. One hundred percent invested in saving each of us.
And the flesh burned outside the camp? Maybe it is because the sins He was suffering for were not His, but ours??? I don’t yet have a full answer. Perhaps that question is meant to stay with me a little longer.
One admittedly irrelevant thought stayed with me as I read. I’ve seen four-legged animals being branded. It is not a quiet or tidy process. There is kicking, noise, resistance. And I wondered—this sacred sacrifice at the door of the tabernacle—was it as messy as I imagine?
Then I couldn’t help but liken it to our own sacrifices before entering the temple, especially for the first time. Life is messy! Our lives are messy! Do we sometimes kick and scream inwardly as the Lord asks for more of us? As an after thought, Clyde reminded me that the first step in offering the lamb was to slit the neck and drain the blood. That doesn’t completely erase my thoughts of resistance.
Some people go through quite a cleansing process before reaching that point. Maybe my nine years off the covenant path were my own version of kicking and screaming. Maybe.
Verse 21 made me pause: What represents the blood in our own offering to the Lord today? Could it be the water on the sacrament table? We partake of the sacrament long before we are worthy to enter the temple. Perhaps that, too, is part of the cleansing journey.
As I continued reading about the purification of Aaron and his sons, I felt deep gratitude to live in a time when the sacrifice required is not animals—but ourselves. All of us. We consecrate our lives to be purified, cleansed, and sanctified. What a beautiful exchange. I want to ponder this more the next time I participate in washings and anointings in the temple.
Verse 25 says: “It is a pleasing aroma to the LORD, a special gift for him.”
Is my sacrifice pleasing to the Lord? I can only hope.
This entire process is detailed, symbolic, and holy. I’m in awe. Words almost fail me. I am deeply grateful to Jesus Christ for suffering a death foreshadowed by these sacrifices. I am grateful for His willingness to give all of Himself.
And so I offer all of me.
The Israelites might be mystified by how I do that. Sometimes, I am too. I offer myself by serving God’s children, gathering Israel, and striving to raise a righteous family. Am I perfect at it? Goodness, no. But Jesus offers grace for my efforts.
And that is the beauty of the whole thing.
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