SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
1. Between the people and God there was a curtain. Once a year the priest was to go behind that curtain with blood, to cover the sin of the priest and the people. The message was plain: we do not and should not have the confidence or arrogance to assume that we can come to God just as we are. We are sinners, we must pay the death penalty (symbolized by blood). God graciously allows for the people, through the priest, to come before Him once a year.
2. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. [Matthew 27:50-51]. Jesus changes all this. His blood is sufficient to cover our guilt once and for all. It is finished. With His death, the curtain separating us from God is torn, the barrier is removed.
3. Now, through Jesus, we can approach God with confidence, boldness. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [Hebrews 10:19-22].
4. The Day of Atonement was a symbolic reminder that God is holy, and we are not, and that we need His mercy to provide for our sin and guilt. We need Him to cover for us. Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the scapegoat. He is the perfect priest who does not need to sacrifice for Himself, because He is holy (not just white robes, He has a white, pure heart).
5. Today I choose to boldly approach God as my loving Father, to approach Him with confidence knowing that I am clean, forgiven, free.
PRAYER:
Lord, Thank You for being the perfect priest, and making the perfect sacrifice. Thank You for freedom to come to God!
We serve a holy and awesome God. Once again He says to His people. do this and live. Listen and do. Obey. The Day of Atonement reminds the people of their sinfulness. It happened each and every year since the people, we/me are in daily need of forgiveness. The scapegoat was a type of Christ dying for our sins to make us right with God. It was sent away with the sins of the people so the people would be right with God. My sins are taken by Christ’s blood so that I may be right with my Father. I am made clean and whole through Him. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. It is in Him I have everlasting life. Thank You Lord.
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?