A Daily Purpose (Day 48)

by contributing writer: Lindsey Capron

The book of Leviticus is the book of the Bible that is often cast in the darkest shadows in Christian culture. Pastors hardly want to preach from it, and it’s certainly not enthusiastically discussed in Bible Studies. With its six hundred plus rules on how to live a life that’s pleasing God, it can seem downright impossible to be and do everything that He wants. 

Deep between the myriad of rules, rituals, and offerings lie significant details about God’s character when it comes to holiness and how to relate to Him. In Leviticus 4:1-5:19, God speaks to Moses and give Him clear, specific, and instructions about sin, guilt, and a solution on how to get them forgiven. 

It seems like one would have to jump through hoops in order to get their sins forgiven. Between having an anointed priest or elder stand in the gap for the offender (Leviticus verses), the offender having to bring a perfect sacrifice; one without blemish (Leviticus verses), the slaughtering and spreading of blood in a certain manner on the altar, it can all seem like too much. 

Some will ask, “What’s the point of all of this? Why does God require all of this? Does it really take all of this to be forgiven?”

God in Leviticus is showing that though He’s a compassionate, loving, almighty God, He is still Holy. Because He is holy, He requires us as His own people to be holy also (Lev. 11:15).  Everything and everyone created that belongs to Him is to be set apart for His purpose. And we cannot serve or even stand in His presence unless we are pure, sanctified, holy, and free from sin. Also, laying hands on the sacrifice to transfer sin, slaughtering, breaking of the body, and spilling of the blood foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. 

God takes sin very seriously whether it’s done intentionally or unintentionally no matter what our status, position, or ranking amongst people. There can be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22).

Though we don’t need to go to a priest and bring animals to sacrifice for our guilt and sins, we still need to take our sin seriously. Our posture and attitude towards sin should be the same as told in Leviticus even though Jesus took on our guilt and shame for us once and for all. 

Our sin not only affects us but others around us, the world at large, and most importantly God Himself. Let’s be mindful to go to God in our sin, repent, and give heartfelt thanks that Jesus Christ became sin for us, so we no longer have to be bound to guilt and shame.

PRAYER

Holy God, 

Though Your word in Leviticus can be hard to read, we thank You that Your law led the way to Your Son, Jesus Christ’s ultimate, once and for all sacrifice. We acknowledge that sin is very serious, and You’ve called us to holiness as Your special people. May we always take our sin seriously knowing that it’s dangerous to our relationship with ourselves, others, and most importantly, You. Let us remember always to offer our hearts as a sacrifice so it can be made clean from sin. 

In Jesus Name. Amen.