One of the students in Sunday school asked if Jesus offered sacrifices. I wasn't sure and told him I would do some checking. I haven't found anything to really help me so I thought I would throw it out to this distinguished group of scholars. I could not find it anywhere in the Gospels (unless I missed it). I don't know if this fits into the fulfilling all righteousness or not. I guess the main point of the question was that since Jesus is without sin did He make sin offerings?

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Answers

Ron,

There is no mention of Jesus actually offering an animal sacrifice in the Gospels. We do know that He paid the Temple Tax on at least one occassion, when Peter opened his mouth prematurely and Jesus brought forth the payment out of the mouth of a fish.

What we do know is that he was at the Temple at least 4 times (2 Passovers during His ministry when He cleansed the Temple, when He was redeemed by the turtle dove sacrifice as an infant, and when he got separated from Mary while teaching in the Temple at age 12).

We also know He attended Synagogue regularly ("as was His custom"), often reading Jewish Scripture and preaching while there.

Finally, we also know that He was Sinless and completely fulfilled the Law - which might lead one to believe he might have offered some sacrifices (although not a guilt offering as He had no guilt). He well could have offered incense or Thanksgiving meal offerings to honor His Father (and in order to fulfill all righteousness like at His baptism), yet, since he Was God in the Flesh, was there any need for Him to offer to Himself?

There is no definitive Scriptural proof that I know of to absolutely confirm either opinion. Personally, I tend to think that He probably didn't offer blood sacrifices (other than Himself) - but I don't think I could ever prove it nor would I ever force such an opinion on anyone.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Jesus told a leper that had been cleansedto offerthe sacrifices that Moses had commanded as a testimony unto them.

Paul cut his hair in Cenchrea, becausehehad made a vow. He was on his way to Jerusalem. the Nazarite vow involved animal sacrifice. Many early Christian Jews were participating in temple worship.

Here in Indonesia, they have something of a Muslim animal sacrifice. Goats are killed and the meat is given to the poor. A friend of mine pointed out that animal sacrifice is not that different from a farmer killing an animal. Some might read the Torah about sacrifices now and think it is pretty gory. But that was back when people actually had to kill animals to get meat. They couldn't just go to the supermarket and find meat on a styrophome plate wrapped in plastic. Animal sacrifice showed them that the forgiveness of sins was valuable and expensive.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Is there a "saying", could be a prarable, about satifation.

HE killed a tree?

Nasty ass selfsentered S.O.B.

Mary, No disregard intended.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2001

Jesus L. Christ!, can't folks have common sense!

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2001

Hey toostupid,

I've always heard that Jesus' middle initial was "H".

If you think about it, this was a very insightful question on a seeker's part. There could be quite a few ramifications to the faith if Jesus did offer sacrifices.

There IS food for thought in the question - which is what this Forum is all about. Do you have any evidence in support of your "Nope" answer?

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2001