As I was reading in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus (I know…who wants to read Leviticus?), I found myself in chapters 4 and 5 reading about the duties of the high priest.
One word kept jumping off the page:
Must.
Over and over again I read about the things the people—and the high priest—must do when they sinned, even unintentionally.
I am an animal lover, as many of you know. My husband and I currently have six cats and a rabbit. Over the years we’ve had as many as 7 cats, fed and rescued countless strays, and shared our home with three dogs. It’s safe to say we love God’s creatures.
As I read these chapters, I couldn’t help but think how thankful I am that I wasn’t living in Old Testament times. It would have broken my heart to watch innocent animals continually sacrificed because of my sins and the sins of others.
Honestly, I can’t imagine receiving God’s call to be a high priest. What an overwhelming responsibility! Day after day they stood between a holy God and sinful people, presenting sacrifice after sacrifice.
Leviticus repeatedly says it was a must. The blood of an innocent animal had to be shed. There was no other way for the ceremonial cleansing God required under the Law.
It must have been a bloody, heartbreaking ministry. Their work was never finished because sin never stopped.
Then, as I kept reading God’s Word, my heart filled with gratitude.
One day another High Priest came.
Unlike every priest before Him, Jesus didn’t bring the blood of bulls or goats. He brought Himself.
The innocent Lamb of God willingly became the sacrifice for guilty sinners.
What had to be repeated over and over under the Law, Jesus accomplished once and for all at the cross.
The writer of Hebrews says:
“But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12)
He sat down because the work was finished.
No more endless sacrifices.
No more rivers of animal blood.
No more waiting for another Day of Atonement.
Jesus declared, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
The Law said, “You must.”
Grace says, “Jesus did.”
What a blessing to live on this side of the cross! We are not saved because we continually bring sacrifices to God. We are saved because God gave the final and perfect sacrifice to us.
The next time you read Leviticus and find yourself overwhelmed by all the things the people must do, let it point your heart to Jesus. Every sacrifice whispers His name. Every drop of blood points to the cross. Every high priest foreshadows our Great High Priest.
And because of Him, we no longer live under the burden of “must.”
We live under the freedom of grace.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You that what the Law required, Jesus fulfilled. Thank You that the sacrifice for my sin has already been made once and for all. Help me never to take the cross for granted. When I read the sacrifices of the Old Testament, remind me of the immeasurable price You paid because of Your great love for me. May I live each day with gratitude, humility, and joy because Jesus has done what I never could. In His precious name, Amen.
