Ancient sacrifice, the death of Jesus, and the awfulness of sin
By Dean Collins
Hebrews tells us that the New Covenant is vastly superior to the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:6). We could likely name dozens or even hundreds of reasons we are beyond blessed to be living under the New Covenant. Many of them would center around how God now allows us to deal with our sin.
We all know countless stories of the aftermath of our sins and of the sins of others. We have seen and some of us have experienced the results emotionally, physically, and financially that result from the sins of pride, lust, infidelity, violence, physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, and many more. Sin not only damages the one who commits the sin but it impacts the communities of family, friends, church, and even nations.
Ugly consequences
Nowhere are the ugly consequences of sin made clearer than in the book of Leviticus.
When you read portions of Leviticus you see that animal sacrifices were required in order for sins to be forgiven. The descriptions of sin offerings are hard to read. We tend to skim or ignore these passages, partially because we know Jesus has paid the price for all sins so these ancient rituals now seem irrelevant.
But before we dismiss these passages, consider some of the specific ways God had the Israelites face the consequences of their sins. The guilty would literally place their hand on the head of the goat or lamb in front of the priest to make the connection that their sin resulted in the slaughter of this animal. And then the graphic slaying of the animal sacrifice for sin took place.
One-time sacrifice
We can be grateful this is no longer a requirement for our sins. Our high priest, Jesus, has taken all the shame and paid the precious price on the cross for our sins. He died for all sins and to restore all things. And that includes you and me. Our sins are confessed to the Father, and Jesus took the shame and the pain of the cross for us.
Consider what the writer of Hebrews tells us about the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins:
“First, Christ said, ‘You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them’ (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will.’ He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”
We must never take sin lightly. It has a cascading effect that is hard to fully realize. The very good news is that the overwhelming impact of the work of Christ on the cross that results in our forgiveness, changes us, and can change our relationships with others in unimaginable ways. The work of Christ is a work of reconciliation and transformation. He can restore brokenness we could not believe can be healed. He can transform shattered lives into vessels of beauty.
Lord, today we see with new eyes the ugliness of our sin. We bow down in humility and gratitude for your gift of salvation that comes to us through the cross. We repent of our sins and we place our hands in your hands. Thank you for forgiveness. Transform our hearts and minds to walk in the light of your grace and forgiveness and to seek ways to share it and offer it to others, even to our enemies. Restore us. Renew us. And use us for your glory today and always. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo by NEOSiAM 2021 at www.pexels.com
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