leviticus ~ a humbling journey

If you’ve never read through the book of Leviticus, let me just tell you, if you’re anything like me, it’ll blow your mind.

I can’t say that this is the very first time that I’ve ever come across this set of scriptures.  But I can honestly say that this is the first time that they’ve spoken to me so clearly.  According to Old Testament law, there were certain procedures that were necessary anytime a person needed to atone for their sins.  And with these “procedures” there is no room for error.  Here is just an example.

“If any of the common people sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but they don’t realize it, they are still guilty.  When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as an offering for their sin a female goat with no defects.  They must lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered.  Then the priest will dip his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings.  He will pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.  Then he must remove all the goat’s fat, just as he does with the fat of the peace offering.  He will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be a pleasing aroma to the Lord.  Through this process, the priest will purify the people, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven.”    Leviticus 4:27-31

When I read this, I was amazed.  I imagined if this were still the standard for forgiveness of sins in today’s time.  We would have people lined up for as far as the eye could see just waiting their turn to present their sin offering before the Lord.  Either that, or people would claim that it wasn’t worth their time and wouldn’t even attempt at attaining forgiveness. 

But…..and this is a BIG BUT……we no longer have to follow these procedures in order to obtain forgiveness for our many many sins.  We have to do but one thing ~ Accept the gift of God’s mercy and love.  Because once upon a time, there was a God born in human form.  The only perfect person to ever walk this earth.  And yet this perfect person, has served as the ultimate sacrifice for us.  Because of the sacrifice that God made of his only begotten son, Jesus Christ…..dying a public, degrading, brutal death WE HAVE FORGIVENESS.

Amazing………amazing grace.

I am forever humbled by your grace and love, oh Lord.