Are you reading the Bible through with me? Grab your pen and journal, and get ready to write your thoughts as you journey through the Bible.
Read Leviticus 1-3. The theme of Leviticus is holiness - God’s holiness and personal holiness. Why so much talk about blood? Because sin and its effects are NOT trivial matters to God. Sin can only be dealt with through pain, suffering and bloodshed. God’s provision of animal skins for Adam and Eve was the first sacrifice for sin (Genesis 3:21). The suffering and death of Jesus was the last sacrifice for sin. “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”
This is the reason that the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament are no longer important. Jesus was and is the ultimate sacrifice, unblemished by sin. As He spoke to His disciples at the last supper, when He took the cup, He said, “This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Hebrews 10:4 reminds us that “… it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Hebrews 9:14 says, “… how much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
The apostle John wrote about the importance of Jesus’ blood sacrifice in his first letter. I John 1:7 states, “…if we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” There is enough biblical evidence to prove that our holiness is totally dependent on the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Here’s the one more passage: I Peter 1:17-19. Thank God our salvation is not dependent on our works! It is the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord that cleanses us from our sins.
In your journal, list all of the things that you do to help others or God. Then ask yourself, “Do any of these things measure up to what Jesus has done for you?
El-Hakkadosh (ha-ka-dosh), the Holy God, thank You for Your great mercy towards me. Thank You for loving me even when I was still dead in sin. Thank You for the great Gift of the Lord Jesus as the Sacrifice for the forgiveness and removal of sin and guilt. Strengthen me for road ahead as You begin to shape me into the image of Your Son, my Lord Jesus.
