An Undefiled Conscience

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The sacrifices of the Old Testament are an often misunderstood thing. Why did Jesus have to be sacrificed when God had already instituted animal sacrifices? Why weren’t those sacrifices enough?  Surely it was not simply for mankind's convenience because the priests were offering sacrifices almost continually. If you think there was another reason - you're right! There is a much greater, more significant reason. It is a reason that within it contains the very seeds of the gospel message. 

Hebrews tells us that one function of the sacrifices was a reminder of sins (Hebrews 10:1-3). Mankind needed a reminder of their nature.

In a nutshell, in the books of the law, we read many verses like this:

 And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take a handful of it as its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, on the Lord's food offerings; it is a sin offering.  Thus the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed in any one of these things, and he shall be forgiven. And the remainder shall be for the priest, as in the grain offering.” Leviticus 5:12-13 ESV


And in the New Testament we are given explanations like this:

 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
    after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
    and write them on their minds,”

 then he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. - Hebrews 10:11-18 ESV

In the Old Testament sins were covered (this is the meaning of the word "atone" - Leviticus 5:13) and forgiven, but the sin was not taken away (Hebrews 10:1-4, Romans 3:19-20). Moral defilement can in no way be removed by material means.

In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews tells us that in one offering, Christ has taken away our sins. He is the one sufficient sacrifice. God does not hold those sins against us. (Hebrews 10:17). Furthermore, those that have faith in Christ have a new nature growing in them - a nature that WANTS to please Christ. Christians are said to be "born again" or "born from above". (John 3:7, 1 Peter 1:3) 

Think of Old Testament sacrifices as being "IOU's" and Jesus being the ultimate payment for our sin. Through Christ we can have an undefiled conscience, a clean slate and a heart to serve. Hallelujah!