Year of the Bible: Part Three of Twelve Sample

The Day of Atonement.

The climax of the Book of Leviticus is the Day of Atonement, the day on which two animals were used to get rid of the people's sins. As we mentioned yesterday, the priest sacrificed one goat inside the camp to purify the people. Then, the priest sent the second goat out of the camp with the people's sins "placed on it" to wander the wilderness.

God needed to reconcile justice and mercy. In Unlocking the Bible, David Pawson ponders, Should he deal with sin justly by punishing the sinner, or should He deal with it in mercy and forgiveness? Since God was both Just and Merciful, He had to find a way of being both at the same time. The substitution of an innocent life for a guilty one was the only way.

Tony Evans tells us in his commentary, "When Jesus offered himself as our great high priest, he made atonement for our sins once and for all. The Day of Atonement was fulfilled in Him.

Question: What is the justice you deserved? What did Jesus offer instead?

Prayer Focus: Take time to renounce any sin you have been clinging to. Ask God to help you see the gravity that Jesus bore and give you joy that you are now free!