PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“…and they will be forgiven.” (Leviticus 4:31)
Sin is a term that describes the poison of selfish love at work in us.
It leads us to lie, cheat, steal, abuse, violate, dishonour and harm others.
Paul explains how sin is in us, making us do things we don’t want to do (Romans 7:14-20).
Sometimes we sin (harm others) intentionally, but many times it is unintentional.
Intentional or not, it breaks the fellowship we have with God and the people around us.
These verses remind us that as frustrating as sin is, there is hope and mercy.
I believe that these sacrifices served both a preventive and redemptive purpose.
They comforted the people, that when they messed up, there was hope for mercy and pardon.
They compelled people to be eager not to harm others or God, but to love them well.
Jesus has offered the once-for-all sacrifice for us (Hebrews 10:10).
As we sense Jesus’s death for sin, we are both comforted and compelled regarding sin.
As we see the bloody consequence of our failing to love God and others…
We are comforted by God’s love, and compelled to love intentionally, to be and to do good!
May God’s love comfort me love when I fail, and may it compel me not to fail.
PRAYER
Lord, as I reflect on your loving grace and my own intentional or unintentional failures to love, comfort and compel by your Spirit to love more and more like you!
“In this way the priest will make atonement for the leader’s sin, and he will be forgiven.” This is a consistent refrain in this passage – by bringing very specific and detailed sacrifices to the priest – a persons sins are ‘atoned’ for and will be forgiven. There is a consequence to sin – and through sacrifice a sin can be or will be forgiven. We no longer do these sacrifices – they are not part of our ‘obedience’ steps in the worship of God anymore. The sacrifices were necessary so that we understand that we are dirty – we are covered in sin and God is pure and righteous – through Jesus once and for all sacrifice – by believing I trust that Jesu who is also my high priest will forgive my sin – just like the priest did in Old testament times. Forgiveness is not automatic – it is not achieved – it is only by grace. Thank you Lord Jesus that you have promised forgiveness for me – a sinner!
Sin.
Once again I am reminded of my nature and that I am a sinner – unintentionally and intentional. I am guilty of not following the Lord’s ways in all my days. I need a Saviour to keep me in His Way. This passage reminds me how often I stray from the Way. Lead me and guide me Lord in Your way. May others see that I am an instrument of Your peace – Christ Jesus living in me. I am forgiven and therefor renewed. Spirit of the living God, dwell within me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.