As Jesus came to fulfill the Festival of Tabernacles, an elaborate schedule of sacrifices was simplified. The cross was the pivot point between the old and new covenants.
An Elaborate Sacrifice Schedule
The Festival of Tabernacles was an eight-day celebration. God gave an elaborate schedule of sacrifices for this Festival in Numbers 29. There, in 28 verses, there is a specific sacrifice for each day of the Festival. By the end of the celebration, 199 animals were sacrificed.
Sacrifice Simplified
Now, under the new covenant that Jesus brought, the sacrifice is simple. It is the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Hebrews 9: 12 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.
13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.[1]
Jesus Foreshadowed in the Sacrifice
God required blood to cover the sins of His people. While the Festival of Tabernacles was a joyful celebration of God’s presence and provision, sacrifices were still required. Now that Jesus has come, He is God with us and provides forgiveness for us.
Ephesians 1:5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.[2]
To hear how an elaborate schedule of sacrifice was simplified, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles
[1-2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.