Lesson 6 Review: Understanding Sacrifice

Introduction

Memory Text: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation’ ” (Revelation 5:9, NKJV).

Jesus indeed is the Lamb of God to which all the animal sacrifices pointed. Jesus is worthy, where no one else is, for He was slain. An important key to understanding the themes of sacrifice is the fact that Jesus appears in this pivotal scene, looking like a slain lamb (Rev. 5:6). This week’s lesson is about the themes of sacrifice that inform our understanding of Jesus, the slain Lamb, the clear protagonist of the throne room scene.

What is an important lesson about sacrifice as highlighted in Sunday’s lesson?

Sacrifices are to be an attitude of surrender and submission to God, Sacrifices are not to be anchored in self.

Why was Abel’s sacrifice accepted and Cain’s sacrifice rejected?

Abel sacrificed keeping the promise in mind. He grasped the principles of redemption and knew that without shedding of blood there could be no remission for sin. Cain, would live as he pleased, and render mere ritual to God on his own terms.

How significant was the sacrifice of Bulls and Goats?

The sacrifice of bulls and goats were only pointing to the harsh, cruel, and unfair sacrifice of Jesus Christ who would take away our sins. The animal sacrifices are referred to as the type, and Jesus the antitype. With Jesus’ death on the cross and His victorious resurrection over death, the animal sacrifices become no longer necessary. On Christ’s sacrifice, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:38, NKJV).

What does it mean for us that Jesus is the Passover sacrifice?

Jesus, the antitype of the Passover lamb, lived a righteous life, He reflected God’s glory perfectly, He was sacrificed on the Passover. The Passover was a time of deliverance for the Israelites, and through Jesus’ sacrifice we are delivered from sin and its results.

How do we know that the glory of the latter temple exceeded the former?

The first temple was dedicated by King Solomon, the Shekinah glory—the presence of God that had accompanied the children of Israel en route to Canaan—filled the temple, the ark of the covenant was there. In the dedication of the second temple, the ark of the covenant was missing, the presence of God did not fill the temple, but it was in the second temple that Jesus, the incarnation of God, appeared in Person, in flesh and blood.

What are the similarities between the visions of Isaiah and John in Isaiah 6:1-5 and Revelation 4:7-11 respectively?

The first thing that happens in both visions of Isaiah and John in Isaiah 6:1-5 and Revelation 4:7-11 is that heavenly beings underscore the holiness of God. Next, we are shown the prophet’s reaction to the scene, they begin to comprehend more fully the unworthiness of mankind.

What two things does the cross show us?

First, just how much God loves us that He would sacrifice Himself for us; second, it shows us just how sinful and fallen we are that only through the cross can we be saved.

In Conclusion,

Our obedience to God should be an attitude of surrender and submission to God, knowing that only Him makes us worthy of any of the benefits of salvation. May God help us to surrender to Him, in Jesus’ name.