Devotionals

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I generally avoid reading Leviticus. In my mind, I have decided that it is pretty dry reading, perhaps a bit repetitive and maybe even irrelevant in light of the fact that we have a new covenant. However, this week, God laid on my heart to begin reading this very book. Boy, were my impressions wrong!

The first five chapters of Leviticus deal with offerings to God. They are very specific. At this time, the offerings were the way to God. The offerings were atonement for sin. The details are often a bit distasteful. When there is a sin to be atoned for, one must bring an animal from his herd. Not just any animal, not the weak or the lame or other undesirable and easily expendable animal. No – it must be an animal without defect. Now, an animal without defect would be good for breeding and improving the overall quality of the herd. It would be an animal to be prized. It would be a valuable possession to its owner. It would not be something freely discarded. No – it would be seen as a loss to give up this animal. In other words – a sacrifice!

There are very specific details about how this animal is to be killed and how its blood is to be collected and where it is to be sprinkled. What the priest must do with the entrails (can you imagine today’s pastors having to dismember animals and wash entrails as part of their job duties????) Parts of the animal are to be arranged on wood on the altar and burned. There are descriptions of what to do with the excess parts of the carcass. There are specific instructions based on the nature of the sin, whether it is corporate or individual. There are allowances for those of lesser means. Certain birds can be substituted for the larger animals. In extreme poverty situations, grain may be substituted. However, whatever the circumstance, the requirement is costly to the person giving it and a bit complicated on the part of the priest.

Why? Because sin is costly! Sin should never be taken lightly. Leviticus 5:4 says “Or if a person swears thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, in whatever matter a man may speak thoughtlessly with an oath, and it is hidden from him, then he comes to know it, he will be guilty in one of these.” If a person swears lightly even to do good, he is guilty! How many times have we agreed to do something for someone and not followed through??? That seems like no big deal, but if you read the next two verses, the guilty party must confess this sin and bring a female lamb to the priest as a sin offering! This tells me that sin and integrity of character are of the utmost importance to God!

Now, many will say here that we are not under the Old Covenant. Praise God for that. But stop to think what that means. That means that our sin has been paid for. Do not take this lightly. Jesus became that lamb without defect, slaughtered on our behalf. Do not think that this was not expensive. This is not a Christmas present brightly wrapped under the tree. This is a life laid down for another. We often hear stories of great heroics in war. One man throwing himself in harm’s way to save the life of his buddy. The one saved will live the remainder of his days aware of the sacrifice made for him. He will always remember and honor the fellow soldier who gave his own life to save another. How much more should we be always aware. This was not easy. Jesus left his position in the trinity in heaven to walk among men. Read John chapter 1. Jesus was with God at creation. Jesus was the creator. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1. And then the greatest plot twist man has ever known: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. Jesus left his position and dwelt among us!!!! Not just a sociology experiment to see how things were going here on earth. No – he came with a grave purpose.

You see, God had created man in the garden and had a relationship with him. Man messed up that relationship and allowed sin to enter the world. Man was sent from the garden and we can trace the general failings of mankind until the days of Noah. God gives mankind another fresh start by preserving the only righteous man he can find and his family. However, mankind falls right back into sin and separation from God. Then through Moses, God presents his Ten Commandments and the law, with specific details of atonement. Again, mankind fails to uphold his end of the bargain. Can’t you see that throughout history, God has shown the way of righteousness over and over again, but man has fallen short? Man cannot achieve righteousness on his own.

So, yes Jesus came with a very specific purpose. To create a new covenant with man. To be the sacrifice, once and for all. His forgiveness is freely given to those who believe. But, never assume that it was cheap, or easy, or a license to continue in your sin. Sin is of such concern to God, that he came to earth and sacrificed Himself to take away the sentence that our sin inevitably brings. Every sin that we commit made it necessary for him to suffer and die. How humbling that should be for us. Never fail to be thankful for the grace that allows you to be forgiven.

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