Leviticus 1:4-5 ESV He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Then he shall kill the bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
I was reading in the book of Leviticus during my personal devotions. The whole concept of an animal sacrifice for sin caught my attention. I meditated on that for a while. It seems like it would have been a powerful reminder of the serious of sin.
I am so glad Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice for sin. I am grateful that I do not have to slaughter an animal to atone for my sin. Of course, God’s way is the best way. At the same time, there might have been some advantages to the old Levitical system.
Sin has consequences, all Christians know and agree with that. Yet, I find myself at times taking sin much too lightly. I am truly remorseful when I do repent, but the fact that I sometimes choose to sin because it is easier than resisting temptation tells me that I do not always appreciate the gravity of my choices. In a sense, it is because repentance is a fairly painless process.
During Old-Testament times, repenting was more complicated and somewhat costly. First, the sinner needed an animal for the sacrifice. Either they had to buy an animal, or they had to choose one of their best from their herd/flock. Repentance required a financial loss.
Then the penitent had to take animal to the priest, so repentance was a public affair. No hiding in a prayer closet back then.
Finally, they had to participate in killing the animal. Animal sacrifice was a bloody and brutal event. The person or the priest killed the creature and drained out the blood which was splattered and/or smeared on the altar and sometimes on the person. That alone would be a meaningful visual aid for the consequences of sin.
God has given us a New Covenant with a new system. It is better than the old system in every way. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if I might put up a greater fight against temptation if I had to endure old-style repentance.
Lord, You are pure and holy. Thank You for your mercy and forgiveness. I am not grateful enough for the repentance You grant me. Give me a heart that hates sin as much as You do. Give me a heart that longs for purity so that nothing will hinder my relationship with You.