Spending some time in Leviticus this evening and struck by some of the ground rules that God lays out for His people as He sets up the means by which people's sins will be forgiven. But first, I want to give a quick precursor. I am using a Bible reading plan which I really love and its found here http://www.hopeingod.org/BibleReadingPlan.aspx It just so happens that I am in Leviticus. I am not one who would normally flip straight to the book of Leviticus for a spiritual pick-me-up and if you are then what I am about to say probably won't be interesting to you, but here it is.
Leviticus 3:2 "And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting..."
This is an idea repeated over and over throughout the first 10 chapters which has really grabbed my attention. Looking beyond the fact that the sacrificial system established in the OT is the last thing I ever would have thought of if I were God, but the best thing I can imagine for God to convey to His people the seriousness of sin. Looking beyond this, I want to focus quickly on one thought. God commands His people to lay their hands on the head of the sacrifice. To put the blood on their hands. Not to simply by a goat, hand it over to the slaughterhouse and go home. But to be there for the brutal murder which was necessary to atone for the sin committed, no matter how serious that sin seemed at the time of its conception.
Closing thought, what if I placed my hand on the head of the necessary, perfect, sufficient, voluntary sacrifice as He was being slaughtered for my sin, every time I needed forgiveness for my sin? He would be no less willing to forgive but I may find myself more reluctant to transgress His perfect law.
What is something for you that has raised your awareness of the severity of sin? One passage, one sermon, one book, one experience?
Thank you for your time and your contributions which I know will help me walk closer, with increased holiness, before the Lord. Our perfect and sufficient sacrifice!
Wow Josh great post. I was listening to that Chandler sermon, games people play, right before I read your post and one of the quotes that really floored me was how we redefine grace. He said we redefine grace from God's unmerited favor to "God puts up with whatever we do and he just deals with it." I definitely think my sin would weigh more on my heart and on my mind if could remember the terribly beautiful cost of the cross.
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