Leviticus 14-16
Whenever we watch a movie or read a book, we are anticipating “the moment” in the story where everything comes to a climax and all the puzzle pieces finally come together: chapter 16 of Leviticus is that climax within this book. In this chapter, God gives a special ceremony for the Israelite people, later called Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). At this special ceremony, the sins of ALL the people were forgiven and forgotten: at this special annual celebration, every person in God’s family gets a fresh start.
Once a year, the high priest would offer a sin offering for himself, his family, and all the people of Israel within the tabernacle. Since atonement and forgiveness are only possible through blood (Leviticus 17:11), the high priest offers this sacrifice on behalf of all the people to cover all their past yearly sins. He also presents a “scapegoat” before the people, a goat that would bear the sins of all the people and be led out into the wilderness, representing their sins being carried away and forgotten forever. Meanwhile, the people were expected to “deny themselves” in humility before God, repenting and mourning over the ways that they had offended their God throughout the year (and likely fasted from food and water).
What a wonderful and merciful act that God blessed His people with! This was the most important day of the year for every Israelite: the day that they could walk into a new year, cleansed and forgiven of every past mistake they’d made. God didn’t have to provide this ceremony: He only allowed it because He loves His people and understands that we are only dust.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” – Psalm 103:12-14 NASB1995
Unfortunately, under the Old Covenant, only the high priest was able to bring about this forgiveness and atonement: only he could offer the sacrifice needed to cover over the sins of the people. There hasn’t been a tabernacle, a Temple, or a priesthood for Israel since 70 AD… based on the standards of Leviticus, it is impossible for the people to have their sins forgiven before God. That is, unless God provided a better way, which He did.
We find out in the book of Hebrews that Jesus Christ has taken the role of our new High Priest, and also as the sacrifice we need to take away our sins: not only just for the year, but forever.
“Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but Jesus, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting for that time onward until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet. For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:11-14 NASB1995
We all have regrets and understand that we haven’t lived perfectly: what if you knew that tomorrow all those deeply regretful moments would be washed away, never to be remembered again? Would that change the way you lived before God today? Under the New Covenant, we have the opportunity to live completely free from the guilt and pain that comes from regretful sin, because Jesus died in our place: this is an opportunity available to you, not just once a year, but every single day.
We all have the choice to live differently today than we did yesterday, because Jesus has removed all our sins from the past. What will you choose to do?
-Talon Paul
Reflection Questions
- What similarities and differences do you see between Aaron as high priest and Jesus as high priest?
- What regrets, guilt, and shame have you experienced? Are you living with them today? Do you need to? What are the New Covenant’s steps to accepting God’s free gift of forgiveness? What will you choose to do?
- Did living under the Day of Atonement mean they could do whatever they wanted because once a year all the sins would be forgiven? Does living under the sacrifice of Jesus mean we can do whatever we want because we have forgiveness of sins every day of the year?
Seek Grow Love 