I just realized that Jesus didn't need to sacrifice at the Temple?

since he hadn't sinned....Does the New Testament talk about this one way or the other?

2010-07-06T19:53:07Z

I am a Christian. I was referring to Christ's life here on earth. Thanks, though.

?2010-07-06T19:56:54Z

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During his life, Yeshua would have offered "sacrifices" many, many times. You lack knowledge of what is written in the Torah, but that is no surprise since most Christians do. Not all "sacrifices" offered in the Temple were for sins or transgressions. The children of Israel were commanded to go up to Jerusalem thrice yearly with chaggiga (feast offerings) in their possessions at the three major feasts, Chag ha-Matzot, Chag ha-Shavu'ot, and Chag ha-Sukkot (Exo. 23:14-17; Deut. 16:16).

So, much to your dismay I presume, Yeshua did offer sacrifices during his life. Why isn't this mentioned? It doesn't pertain to the gospel. But, every Jew who has knowledge of the Torah would accept it as fact because it was simply a commandment in the Torah. If Yeshua obeyed all the pertinent commandments in the Torah, then he would have went up to Jerusalem thrice yearly (three times a year) and offered a chaggiga.

I commend Blessed for recognizing that not all offerings were sin offerings. Kudos Blessed.

Smithdadof42010-07-07T04:24:55Z

You are very close in your observation – and it is a wonderful realization about Jesus!

We can gain a deeper understanding of this principle if we have a good knowledge of the Old Testament. The types of sacrifices an individual was required to offer under the Law of Moses are explained in Leviticus Chapters 1 – 7. Notice especially the principle set up for the burnt offering in Lev. 1:3, “of his own free will.” While in a sense these sacrifices were “required” under the Law, ultimately they had to offered in faith, which included understanding or knowledge of *why* a sacrifice was being required (Rom. 10:17). This is Paul’s point in Romans 3:20 where he says, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Since Jesus did not sin, He was not required to offer these sacrifices. The one exception seems to be the grain offering, which He *could* have offered as a thanksgiving to God, but it is never revealed that He did so. For the peace offering (which included touching unclean things like diseased or dead bodies), Jesus showed the he was not subject to becoming “unclean” – His power was greater than that of disease or death.

There were two other offerings that Jesus would have participated in – the Atonement offering, and the Passover offering. The former was offered on behalf of the nation by the High Priest, while the latter was a memorial offering which Jesus participated in (even if He did not personally slaughter the lamb – Matt. 26:17-20). Participation in these feasts was mandatory for all Jewish men (Exodus 23:22-23), so Jesus would have participated in them as a Jew, not as a sinner. This would be similar to Himself being subject to the baptism of John – to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:13-15) – NOT because He was a sinner in need of repentance.

The fascinating thing about these two feasts in particular is that Jesus would have been aware of His ultimate fulfillment of Atonement and Deliverance, even as He observed them as a man.

Shinigami2010-07-07T02:49:17Z

He was subject to the Law, and said "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill," (Matthew 5:17)
also
Luke 2:21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

so, He was circumcised, just like Moses ordered. (subject to the Law of Moses.)

?2010-07-07T02:44:44Z

Wow, good question...never thought of that. There were offerings given in the temple outside of sin offerings. Offerings to show worship, commitment to God, etc. Jesus may have given those instead.

Ford_Craney2010-07-07T02:44:32Z

No,it never mentions it but HE did go to Jerusalem to celebrate the pass over, but HE may have had a lamb sacrificed to fulfill the laws as commanded to do as a human being.

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