A good friend broke my double bass—a large, expensive, stringed instrument used in orchestras and jazz bands. We were loading up the van before traveling to a gig and he carelessly set the bass down on an incline. The wind was blowing that night and the hollow, wooden instrument toppled, resulting in multiple breaks.
“I’m so sorry!” he exclaimed and assured me he’d find the money to fix it. He felt guilty and wanted to fix what he’d broken, but he couldn’t really afford the repairs. I couldn’t pay for them either, so my parents offered to have it mended. They paid a high cost for someone else’s mistake.
Leviticus 16 is about the Day of Atonement, an annual ceremony designed to cleanse the sins of the people of ancient Israel (Leviticus 16:29-30). It was a day when goats were killed so that God’s people could know life (Leviticus 16:15-17, 20-22). These animals died because sin, the people’s offenses against God, required the payment of death (Hebrews 10:1-3; Romans 6:23).
The same is true today. Sin still causes death, but Scripture reveals that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” and that Jesus’ blood is the “perfect sacrifice” for our sins (Hebrews 10:13; Hebrews 9:12-14). He’s paid the price for what we’ve broken (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Leviticus 16 is an easy chapter to overlook in our Scripture reading. It’s in the middle of a section of the Bible that can seem difficult to apply to our lives. But it’s also a glimpse into the work of God: He alone atones—pays the debt for our sins. It’s part of a theme that gets developed in the big story of the Bible: God is more powerful than death.
Today, read Leviticus 16 with fresh eyes, and thank Jesus for your atonement.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Kings 2:13-25
More:
Read Hebrews 9:1–10:18 alongside Leviticus 16 and consider the themes of atonement and sacrifice found throughout the Bible.
Next:
Has anyone ever paid the cost of fixing something you’ve broken or destroyed? How does this experience help you better understand the atoning sacrifice of Jesus?
Gary Shultz on April 24, 2016 at 6:41 am
Andy, on a purely selfish level, I am thankful we no longer should replicate those sacrifices. It is almost maddening to try to remember and follow all of the requirements of sacrifice and the law. I would probably wind up like Nadab and Abihu…… With costs we will probably never understand, a plan was launched to open access to us, by the price Christ would pay. The “perfect sacrifice” how can this be? To fix the broken and open freely a path to the Father. I don’t know how worshipful the folks felt after ceremonial atonement, but I know my sins have been paid in full and I walk in the joy of God’s gift. The fix of all fixes! Thanks Andy
sandy229 on April 24, 2016 at 11:30 am
I’m with you. I would never be able to remember all that stuff!! Thankfully we don’t have to because Jesus paid the price for us. No greater love than to die for the sins of everyone, hard to imagine all the sins of everyone on one man….Jesus, but it’s true, He died for all so we could be set free and we don’t have to remember all that stuff we would have to do if He hadn’t paid the price for us. The ultimate sacrifice.
Andy Rogers on April 25, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Gary and Sandy — I’ve often felt the same way when reading sections in the Bible containing laws about sacrifice and worship. How could they have possibly followed them all? And how would that have affected their understanding of God? It’s a mystery to me.
Thank you both for reading and for the encouraging words. 🙂
samgaskill on April 24, 2016 at 1:02 pm
Truly God went to great lengths to reveal to man how imperfect he/we actually are by exposing our sin and the cost of it in terms of blood sacrifice. Truly, He also went to great lengths to set us free from the burden of penalty for our sin by allowing the one who knew no sin to become sin for us. Praise Your mighty name, Your amazing grace and mercy in spite of our sinful, prideful ways. We cannot help but realize how great is Your love for man; in that while we were yet sinners, You died for us. May what You have done on our behalf conform us day by day that we can also love others well with more grace and mercy than the day before. Amen!
samgaskill on April 24, 2016 at 1:05 pm
imperfect he/we = imperfect man/us . bit confusing perhaps….. sorry : )
sandy229 on April 24, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Amen!
Andy Rogers on April 25, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Amen!