“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished–he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.“
Romans 3:25-26

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Atonement is a payment made to make things right between two parties after an offense by one against the other. The magnitude of the payment must be proportionate to the severity of the offense. In the Law God had prescribed the death of an animal, symbolized by its blood, as the “sacrifice of atonement.”

If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He is to slaughter the young bull before the Lord, and then Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Leviticus 1:3-5

A burnt offering of this kind cost the price of a healthy young bull without apparent defect of any kind. The offering was acceptable only if it was presented at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. This was the place where God met with the High Priest on the Day of Atonement once a year. The act of a person laying their hand on the head of the bull symbolized the transfer of accountability to the animal. This sacrifice was performed in reverent devotion to God.

Instead of an animal, Paul describes Jesus as our “sacrifice of atonement” once and for all. For the Jewish Christians reading Paul’s letter, imagine what a powerful image this would have been! And this atonement was not only available for those living in the Temple/sacrificial system and culture of Jerusalem, but available to anyone who placed his or her faith in Jesus.

The living God Himself became the “sacrifice of atonement,” demonstrating Himself both just and Justifier. God is just in that atonement was made in proportion to the offense, and God is Justifier because He Himself has done it! The punishment deserved for wrongdoing has been received by God Himself through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, and it is available to all, Gentile as well as Jew—and that includes you and me!

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Why was the death of Jesus Christ required to make God both just and the Justifier of sinful men and women?
  • How does our casual thinking about our sin need to change as we consider what it cost God to atone for us?