The Jesus Bible Reading PlanNäide

BEARING OUR SIN

There are two goats in the stages of the Day of Atonement ritual described in Leviticus 16. One goat served its purpose by dying and the other by remaining alive. The first goat was killed as a sacrifice, its blood sprinkled on the atonement cover, tent of meeting and altar. The second goat bore the sins of the nation on its head. Aaron laid both hands on this beast while confessing all of Israel’s sins. This is the origin of the term scapegoat. The animal was led away — carrying all of their sins — and was released in a remote place where it could not return to the Israelite camp.

When Jesus made atonement on the cross, he bore the sins of the human race (1Jn 2:2). For the Christian, all guilt has been removed — and it will not return. Jesus died under the weight of our sins and God’s righteous wrath so that we might have forgiveness and have new life in him (1Pe 2:24).

Jesus, thank you for being my scapegoat. You did not deserve this, but you did it willingly, and for that I will be eternally grateful. Amen.