Jesus' blood was never sprinkled on an altar; where is the atonement?

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DanGiles47

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Leviticus 17:11 explicitly declares that blood can only effect atonement if it is placed on the altar. Jesus’ blood, however, was never placed on the altar. If the church is going to take the “blood” part of the verse literally, they must also take the “altar” part literally as well. Jesus blood was never sprinkled on the altar, and therefore his death could not provide atonement for anyone. This is the question I’ve been presented with from a Jewish friend, I would like some assistance with answering it. Refering to any NT verses are not helpful as Jews don’t put much belief into these verses. Any help would be most appreciated.
Dan
 
Hi Dan,

Well we don’t take Leviticus 17:11 literally. The blood it speaks of is animal blood. Such blood was only a sign of what was to come. God accepted the blood of animals temporarily. But animal blood has no power of itself to atone for sins against God. It was only the blood of Jesus who was both human AND divine that could suffice in atoning for an offence against the living God.

The altar that Jesus shed His blood on was the cross. Since He is God, He could sprinkle His blood any which way and on any altar He chose! Your friends are still thinking only within the confines of the Jewish box. Pray for them. Jesus said that they are not far from the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
 
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