What is the difference between the sacrifice of animals and the sacrifice of Jesus in the life of a follower of God?

Answer 1

The Sacrificial laws were instituted about 1 year after the Exodus to help the Israelites remember God's laws, statues, and ordinances. It pointed to the ultimate sacrifice that was to come for all mankind - Jesus Christ. God's perfect law requires a balance. Sin requires payment in order to be fair:

Hebrews 9:22New King James Version (NKJV)

22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

The vast difference then between symbolically using an animal sacrifice to 'wash' away the sins of a person, and Jesus becoming a man to fully wash away the sins of the world via His blood is like measuring the East from the West. No one would ever attain eternal life without repenting, baptizing and following Christ's perfect example. Through His sacrifice, He has asked the Father to release His Holy Spirit (aka the Spirit of Christ) once again (taken away after fall in Garden) freely to all who seek it. Eternal life is now available to all mankind (John 3:16).

Hebrews 10:5-7New King James Version (NKJV) Christ's Death Fulfills God's Will5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

But a body You have prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin

You had no pleasure.

7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-

In the volume of the book it is written of Me-

To do Your will, O God.'"