Easter

March 12, 2014

Thoughts About What We’re Reading…

The Ultimate Day of Atonement

As we read Leviticus we have to be ever mindful of the fact that salvation is not earned through the obedience of the law.  Obedience is the proper response to the salvation God has provided.

It is helpful to read through passages in Hebrews to fully understand Leviticus and why Jesus is the greater priest and the greater, perfect atoning sacrifice.

Let’s take the Day of Atonement described in Leviticus 16.  Known today as Yom Kippur, the Jewish People still consider this to be the holiest day of the year, a day of atonement and repentance.

But here in our story, despite all the law and regulations described in Leviticus, sins and impurities remained and defiled the camp and the Lord’s holy dwelling among His people.

God therefore provides the ceremony of the Day of Atonement, to cleanse the tabernacle and the camp of these sins and impurities.

The heart of the ceremony consisted of three rites: purification offerings to cleanse the tabernacle (16:11–19), the scapegoat to bear the Israelites’ sins out of the camp (vv. 20–22), and burnt offerings to emphasize the atonement made that day (vv. 23–24).

For these rites to be effective, it was important that the Israelites had repentant hearts (vv. 29, 31).

As we move through the Lent season in preparation of Easter weekend, we are reminded of Jesus’ crucifixion, the ultimate Day of Atonement.

In reflection and fulfillment of the purification offerings, He cleansed our sin by means of His own blood (Hebrews 9:12, 14, 24).

In reflection and completion of the sign of the scapegoat, He bore our sins away (Hebrews 9:28).

In reflection and fulfillment of the burnt offerings, He made atonement for us.

We look to him with hearts that not only mourn and repent of our sin but that also rejoice that His sacrifice cleanses us so completely that we can draw near to God with the full assurance that He accepts us completely (Hebrews 10:19–22).

Amen!

Until next time…keep reading…
Jim

Excerpts taken from the Gospel Transformation Study Bible. 

March 6, 2014

Thoughts About What We’re Reading…

Holy is the Lamb – Lent 2014

We did it!  We finished another book – Exodus. God has delivered His people, made a covenant, and established a theocracy. We have the Sabbath, the Law (which included the Ten Commandments), and the Tabernacle. As the book comes to an end, God is with the nation of Israel, His chosen people.  He is guiding them on to the promised land, as part of the promise given to Abraham back in Genesis 15.

Today we began the Book of Leviticus.  I like that we are we starting this book as we begin our season of Lent in preparation of the upcoming Easter celebration.

Leviticus deals with the severity of sin and God’s grace. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2) NASB

The writer of Hebrews relied on the images of Leviticus in describing the person and role of Jesus Christ: the sacrifice, priesthood, and the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 4:14–10:18).

In Leviticus, we learn how it is God’s desire that His holiness be reflected in the life of His covenant people Israel. Studying Leviticus gives us a deeper devotion to Jesus Christ, a stronger worship of God, and a better understanding of daily Christian living.

The Gospel Transformation Bible describes it like this:

“In order to read Leviticus well we must therefore remember these two things:(1) the many ways that Jesus has become the far greater priest who intercedes for us on the basis of his perfect and far greater atoning sacrifice; and (2) that obedience to God’s law is not meant to earn his salvation but to be an appropriate response to the salvation he has so richly provided.”

As we read through Leviticus, during this Lent season, let’s focus on how every offering and sacrifice gives us understanding of the price Jesus (the Lamb of God) paid, that we might be forgiven, consecrated, and separated.

Holy is the Lamb!

Until next time…keep reading…
Jim