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The Life Is in the Blood

The life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. (Leviticus 17:11)

God loves his people and wants a relationship with them, even after they sinned. But God is holy. He cannot ignore our sin; it must be dealt with. 

The only suitable consequence for sin is death. But God does not abandon us, even when we abandon him. After Adam and Eve sinned, “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). God killed an innocent animal to cover the guilt, shame, and nakedness of his people. God loves his people and wants a relationship with them.

God later taught his people to make sacrifices. To reestablish a right relationship with God, a person killed an animal as an offering to him. The animal’s blood (life) covered the person’s sin and shame (death)—just like the animal garments covered Adam and Eve’s sin. It symbolized the removal of sin and reconciliation with God.

While his people made animal sacrifices, God had his perfect plan in place. He would someday make a sacrifice that would go beyond all other sacrifices. Instead of animals giving their lifeblood to make us right with God, he would send his Son to shed his blood and give his life as the final, perfect sacrifice. Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). All Old Testament sacrifices point to Jesus.

God’s plan to send his Son would not only temporarily cover sin, but Jesus’ death and resurrection would remove sin. Forever. Jesus is the only truly innocent and perfect sacrifice. Only through his death and resurrection are we made whole. Jesus forgives us and brings us peace, joy, and true life.

Reflect on these questions after reading Leviticus 9 and Hebrews 9.

• What are some things you have done to try to earn God’s love? Why?
• How do you handle guilt and shame?
• Why do you think God commanded the Israelites to offer animal sacrifices? (See Hebrews 9:22–23.)
• In what ways was Christ’s sacrifice of himself better than the animal sacrifices?

Pray

Today’s prayer comes from Psalm 51:7–12.

Lord, cleanse me and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let me rejoice in you. Hide your face from my sins and blot out my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. In Jesus’ name, amen.