messiah, our trespass offering (asham)

Read Lev 5 at Bible Gateway.

qorban, that which gathers home 2014 apr 07
messiah our grain offering (minchah) 2014 apr 08
messiah our peace offering (shelem) 2014 apr 09
messiah, our sin sacrifice (chattath) 2014 apr 10

The last kind of qorban Leviticus describes is the trespass offering, asham. Scripture makes a distinction between a sin and a trespass.

According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, sin is “either a positive act in which a known divine law is violated, or it is the voluntary neglect to obey a positive divine command, or a rule of duty clearly implied in such command. Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts, purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary to God’s commands or law.” Sin is the whole kit and kaboodle of unrighteousness in any form.

A trespass is a specific type of sin, when any injury or offense is done to another (Webster’s 1828). A trespass is an encroachment upon the rights, person, or property of another. Trespass offerings are often accompanied by a payment of damages suffered.

The thing is, the encroachment the human race has done upon the rights, person, and property of the Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, to whom is due worship, honor, and obedience as Creator and Lord, is immeasurable. We have all trespassed against Him, never mind our neighbor; in an amount that can never be repaid.

Jesus explained the dilemma this way:

“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii [about $50,000], and the other fifty [about $5000]. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.” Luk 7:41-42

Messiah Yeshua is our trespass offering, which atones for all our trespasses against the Lord, and our neighbor, which none of us could repay.

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin [literally, asham, trespasses],
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days.” Isa 53:10

That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:9

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Eph 2:1

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the list of our transgressions that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken that list out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  Col 3:13-14

This is what we are commemorating, when we commemorate the anniversary of Messiah Yeshua’s crucifixion on Monday, on the feast of Passover!