As I am reading Leviticus, I am marveling at the specific laws set by God for His people in regard to atonement. Before Christ’s sacrifice, there was much to do in order to symbolize the high cost necessary to achieve forgiveness of sin. Sacrificial offerings were a significant part of the Israelites’ lives. Since blood contains life, it is sacred to God. As blood is the life-sustaining element running through the body, its shedding represents death. The death of a subsitute vividly pictured the future death of Christ and allowed the sinner to be covered and live. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement (Leviticus 17:11).
How blessed we are as believers to be covered by the life-giving blood of Jesus Christ. We need no ram, no bull, no goat. We need not get bloody ourselves. The precious blood of Christ is enough. It is indescribable! My mind cannot comprehend all that it accomplished. The sins of God’s children throughout the generations of all time were poured out on the Lamb, resting heavily upon His shoulders. With each breath He drew on the cross, He lifted them with His legs, only to be weighed back down. Crying out, “It is finished” (John 19:30) was more than saying, “I will die now.” The official act of atonement, the complete work of redemption, His purpose in becoming flesh, was finally fulfilled. In that single significant moment in time, my debt was paid in full and I am free!
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).
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How precious to hear your little one following in Mommy’s footsteps. She seems so shy off the stage, but in front of the mic she was very confident. I’m sure we’ll hear more from her as the years go by.