Three Offerings Lev. 8:14-30 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
When Aaron and his sons were consecrated Moses offered three offerings: the sin offering, the burnt offering and the consecration. After their consecration, then they were able to minister in the priest’s office. These three offerings illustrate three offerings that need to be made in order for us to serve the Lord in the priesthood of the believer [1 Pet 2:5, 9]. These three offerings are as follows:
The sin offering – Lev 8:14-17 – the offering of this bullock typifies the offering of Jesus Christ for our sins. Notice the metaphors. They laid their hands on the bullock so the bullock dies for their sins like Jesus died for ours [1 Pet 2:24]. The bullock was slain as was Jesus [Lk 9:22; Acts 2:23]. As the bullock’s blood purified the altar, so the blood of Jesus purified the heavenly things [Heb 9:23-24]. As the bullock’s blood made reconciliation upon the altar, so Jesus’s blood was shed to reconcile all things unto himself [Col 1:20]. As the bullock was burnt without the camp, so Jesus was crucified without the gate [Heb 13:12]. As the bullock was burnt with fire, so Jesus’ soul was in hell [Acts 2:31]. The offering of Jesus for our sin is the means whereby you and I could be saved. In order to minister in the priesthood of the believer you must be saved by the shed blood of Jesus on Calvary.
The burnt offering – Lev 8:18-21 – Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar. This offering pictures you and me dying to the world. At times, you will meet someone who professes to have been saved when they were younger. Then when they were older, they had a second experience with the Lord that was so profound, they aren’t sure that they were really saved when they were younger. I think for many of them, this second experience is not salvation, but rather their death to the world. They cut their ties with the world and burn their bridges in the world and consecrate themselves fully to the Lord. It is the offering by which, as Paul wrote, “the world is crucified unto me,” [Gal 6:14]. I remember this day in my life over 30 years ago. From that day to this, my life has never been the same. Until a Christian has gone through this offering, he will minister to the Lord in a worldly and carnal way; rather than in a spiritual way.
The offering of consecration – Lev 8:22-30 – the blood of the ram of consecration was applied to the priests. Therefore, this offering pictures you and me dying to ourselves. This is our daily cross, of which Jesus spoke [Lk 14:26-27; Mk 8:34-35; 1 Cor 15:31]. If you really want to be a priest of Jesus Christ, you must be wholly consecrated to him. As the chorus of the great hymn goes, “Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart, does the Spirit control? You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest, as you yield Him your body and soul.” This is our crucifixion of which Paul wrote in Gal 2:20.
Conclusion: so to serve the Lord in the priesthood, I believe, like Aaron and his sons, you must have three offerings: the sin offering of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary, the burnt offering of dying to the world and the offering of consecration whereby you die to yourself that Christ may live through you unto God.