In
the Old Testament, Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, the most important
holy day of the Jewish year. On this important Jewish day, God gave every
details how the process of atonement should be done. Why? If there was no
atonement being done, the Israel would be forced to put up with God’s wrath for
not following His laws. There was no peace for Israel facing God’s wrath upon
their disobedience.
God
had a great desired to save Israel from His wrath. God wanted to forgive their
sins, and reconcile them to Himself. So God provided a way of salvation by
accepting in the place the death of an innocent life, the animal that was to be
sacrificed. This animal bore their guilt and penalty and covered over their
sins by its shed blood.
When
I read the whole chapter of Leviticus 16, I thought, “Wow, so much details for
the priests to follow the ritual.” As a reminder, these ritual all pointed out
toward Jesus Christ. The Day of Atonement is illustrated with symbols that
points to the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In
the New Testament, the author of Hebrews emphasizes the new covenant
fulfillment on the typology of the Day of Atonement ritual. Since animal
sacrifices were a type of Christ’s perfect sacrifice and found their
fulfillment in Christ’s sacrifice of Himself, there is no more need for animal
sacrifices after His death on Calvary (Heb. 9:12-18). Christ’s sacrificed once
for all.
“Since
we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This
happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has brought us into that blessing
of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have
of sharing God’s glory” (Romans 5:1-2, NCV).
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world … [silent
worship] … I am feeling your Presence … I am feeling your peace …
SONG:
IN YOUR PRESENCE
In
Your presence, in Your presence, there is peace;
In
Your presence, in Your presence, there is joy,
I
will linger, I will stay in Your presence day by day
That
Your likeness may be seen in me.
(J.D.
and Steven Ray Phifer, Sing His Praise)
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