Atonement Will Be Made for You

In general, I am not a big fan of the book of Leviticus. I have a hard time reading through all of the extremely specific laws and regulations that the tribe of Israel were required to follow. Of course, if I have a hard time just reading all of those rules, I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the Israelites to try to follow every letter of the law.

On my walk, I opened to Leviticus 16, which is an entire chapter of rules that Aaron was required to follow in order to access the Holy of Holies in the temple to be able to ask forgiveness for the people of Israel once a year. The thing that really hit me in this chapter is just how complicated it was to ask forgiveness of sins, and that only happened once a year! Also, the individual people of Israel were not even able to ask forgiveness for themselves--as a matter of fact, it was a sin to attempt to ask forgiveness for yourself.

This chapter reminded me once again of the grace of God. I don't have to wait for a high priest to ask atonement for me and the entire nation on a single day of the year. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, I can go boldly to my Father's throne at any time! Even more impressive is knowing that He listens and forgives. I don't have to go through some complicated series of sacrifices because Jesus already did that part for me.

I could continue to write more about the comparison of the old and the new, but that really is the whole point. Jesus rewrote that chapter for me. I don't need Leviticus 16 anymore. The only part of that chapter I need to remember is that atonement has been made for me.

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that, by grace, I am saved through faith. I cannot earn your forgiveness, but you did the work of atonement for me, once and for all. Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace. In the glorious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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