SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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].
In the tabernacle (temple), 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.
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.
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].
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).
PRAYER:
Lord, Thank You for being the perfect priest, and making the perfect sacrifice. Thank You for freedom to come to God!
The Day of Atonement was a statute forever. The Atonement was made once a year to cover the sins of the people.
The goats represent Christ. The one goat was killed and the blood sprinkled – the blood of Christ paying for the sins of the people. The second goat received all those since and was brought to a solitary place and let go. The sins were removed from the people and they were clean. The sin was no longer in their presence. They were made clean.
Only the blood of Christ can do that. Only in Him do I have life and life eternal. It is by the blood of Christ that I have been made clean and whole so that I can freely live for Jesus.
It was done as Moses commanded. I need to live as Christ has shown the way. I am in His presence always by what Christ Jesus has done for me. What a Saviour!
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.