The Cross is Ugly, for it is a Sin Offering

Speaking of a sin offering . . .

But if he is not able to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he who sinned shall bring for his offering one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, nor shall he put frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. Then he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar according to the offerings made by fire to the Lord. It is a sin offering.

Leviticus 5:11-12 (NKJV)

I’ve been on a journey reading the Old Testament from front to back. At times it is incredible. I discover things about our Creator that I did not know before and I find myself being drawn to Him more every day. At other times unfortunately, it is less spiritually energizing. There are portions of the Word that are simply difficult to read through. Some of these that I’ve already encountered would be the dimensions and seemingly endless specifications for the building of the Tabernacle. Another (seemingly) tedious section I to be honest was not looking forward to reading was the laws laid out in Leviticus. However, reading this morning I discovered something of interest that I ended up pondering for quite some time. 

There were many different types of sacrifices that the Israelites were to offer before the Lord. There were burnt offerings, peace offerings, meal offerings, trespass offerings, sin offerings etc. How they were offered and what the sacrifices were varied depending on what type of offering it was supposed to be. Some offerings absolutely had to accompanied with frankincense, oils, or other sweet herbs (peace offerings that were supposed to be sweet before the Lord). The passage above sets a guideline for sin offerings that when looking back I saw was consistent throughout Exodus and Leviticus. Sin offerings were ugly offerings. The verses above specifically state that “He shall put no oil on it, nor shall he put frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.”

Aspects of the sacrificial system were beautiful. An example can be found here. However, the sin offering was not. It was ugly, without refinement. Even atonement for sins committed by accident or unawares required an ugly sacrifice. I think we should keep this in mind as we claim the sacrifice for our sins as we come before the Lord in repentance. The cross was an ugly place. Beauty can be found in the love demonstrated there but the sacrifice required was no pretty thing. It was brutal, disgusting, unclean and horrible. There was nothing even abstractly beautiful or sweet about it. There are not words enough to describe the eternal awfulness that Christ experienced there, nor can we even begin to fathom the pain He endured. Why? It was a sacrifice that paid for sin. Sin is the ugliest, most revolting, most disgusting, and altogether most evil thing ever. The payment it demands is no less dark. It was not an easy thing that Christ did for us. This is not portrayed though in the images we see that are meant to represent the cross

The paintings we’ve seen and the mental images we carry of the cross have become soft and somehow beautiful. 

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion

Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins

But the Word says He was battered and scarred

Or did you miss that part

Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

(Todd Agnew “My Jesus”)

Our perception has been skewed by soft and pretty pictures that do not display the brutality that Christ endured for us. When we come before God in repentance, we are claiming Christ’s sacrifice as enough for our sins. It is very similar to the Old Covenant in this respect. Yet we don’t even pause or spend a seconds worth of time or energy to consider the sacrifice we’re claiming. We don’t even ponder the significance of the blood that covers us or the death that brought us life. We do not appreciate the suffering that Christ endured for us to give us the ability to seek forgiveness of sins. The cross, the suffering, the death, the agony, the forsakenness have all somehow become foreign to our thoughts. We don’t like thinking about it. But we need too! This is the sacrifice that brings us life and forgiveness. This is the sacrifice that grants us access before the King of kings! This is the penalty for our sins. Each and every sin we commit necessitates Christ agonizing suffering. 

If you are seeking victory over sin, I exhort you to meditate on the ugliness of the cross. This is what Christ did to pay for the sin you’re struggling with. Don’t allow the sacrifice to become comfortable with you. Do not become complacent in realizing the horror that our sin causes. 

The cross is ugly, for it is a sin offering.
It is a sacrifice for MY sin!