Symbolism of Sacrificial Animals in Christianity

• Sacrificial animals were killed in anticipation of Jesus’ death on the cross.

• Each of the sacrificial animals had characteristics that pointed to Christ.

• Lambs have qualities that typify Jesus and his great sacrifice, while bulls represent great strength.

• The Passover lamb had all of the characteristics of a perfect lamb, and its blood saved ancient Israelites from physical death.

• Jesus’ death on the cross was a violent death, and the animals' slaughter stood as a reminder of this.

• We partake of sacramental bread in remembrance of his broken flesh.

• Ancient Israelites could sacrifice a dove, a bull, a turtledove, an ewe lamb, a goat, or a red heifer as a symbol of Jesus Christ.

• Female lambs without blemish were sacrificed to represent Jesus Christ.

• The Lord revealed that the way to remove corpse defilement was through the sacrifice of a red heifer.

• A heifer is young female that has not given birth.

• The red heifer was a sacrificial animal that was killed and then burned in order to cleanse people who had been defiled.

• The sacrifice of the heifer is symbolic of Jesus Christ's divine sacrifice, and the fact that the heifer was a female and potential life-giver anticipates the life-giving force of Jesus' atonement.

• The color red and the symbolism of the water of cleansing pertain to the symbolic purification of the defiled person.

• When people come into contact with the dead, they are ritually defiled. This defilement recalls other scriptural passages about touching unclean things.

• The principle that death stands opposite to God's immortality and eternal life is taught by God in the law associated with the red heifer.

• The scriptures teach that we are to avoid touching unclean things, even if they are members of our family.

• We are to avoid situations that are spiritually dead and lifeless.

• We are to receive the atonement of Christ through repentance and faith in him.

• Christ is the embodiment of both the Lamb and the Lion, and as the Lion he has power over all creatures.

• Christ as the Lamb portrays one who is submissive, as a sacrificial victim who is “brought as a lamb to the slaughter,” or one who condescended to descend below all things. Christ as the Lion portrays one who has power over all creatures and is a majestic, fearless king.

• In this context the title “Lion” is especially appropriate, because just as a lion prevails over other creatures, so Christ “prevailed to open the book” with seven seals.

Explore the symbolism of sacrificial animals in Christianity and their representation of Jesus Christ's sacrifice, from the Passover lamb to the red heifer. Discover the significance of these animals and their connection to Christ's atonement and divine sacrifice.