Day 35

Atonement for Sin

Read: Leviticus 16-18

This section of the Bible emphasizes the fact that we cannot approach a holy God lightly. No one could enter the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the tabernacle, which was separated from the rest by a veil—no one except the high priest and then only once a year, on the Day of Atonement, and only with the blood of an animal sacrifice.

Significantly, at the time of the crucifixion of Christ, the veil was torn from the top to the bottom, teaching that God is now approachable through the blood of Christ. Now, through the name of Christ, all of us can come boldly to God’s throne of grace.

It is important to realize that for Israel there was only one day of fasting but a number of feast days. The emphasis is on rejoicing at being God’s people, while at the same time realizing this is possible only because God has provided the way.

But we only appreciate grace when we realize the seriousness of sin. Many of the ways of the world are an abomination in the sight of God. Sin can never be taken lightly, and we must recognize that God’s people are not to worship the false gods of the people around us or to live the way they live. The sins of the world around us are an abomination in the sight of a holy God and can only lead to tragic consequences.

PRAYER
Father, help us to take sin seriously so that we realize the marvel of your grace, and may that realization give us the courage to live aright. Through Christ. Amen.