October 30, 2024
"for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible"
- Leviticus 17:11 (NLT)
In seeking to bring judgement upon man, the devil got man to sin against God in the Garden of Eden. Sin in its rawest form is rebellion, a rebellion against God. Just as the devil rebelled against God and was removed from God’s presence, God, being just (Deuteronomy 32:4), removed man from His presence after he sinned (rebelled) in the Garden of Eden.
Even though their judgments were similar in that they were removed from God’s presence, there is a difference between man’s plight and the devil’s plight. While the devil’s judgement is eternal (Revelations 20:10), when God pronounced judgement upon man in Genesis 3:16-19, He put a clause in man’s judgement (Genesis 3:15), leaving room for redemption. God extended a lifeline by offering His saving grace to all humanity.
Following the eviction from the presence of God and the consequent loss of kingship and fellowship with Him, there was no way man could survive outside the presence of God. In His mercy, God introduced the model of priesthood for the first time. He did this by sacrificing an animal to make clothing for man. “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife” (Genesis 3:21 NLT).
God extended a lifeline by offering His saving grace to all humanity.
For an animal’s life to be taken, its blood must have been shed. And whenever blood is shed, a sacrifice is being made on an altar for the atonement of sins. Leviticus 17:11 NLT says, “For the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.”
This gesture from God was not merely symbolic; it was a foretaste of the concept of redemption for mankind. By demonstrating the potency of priesthood, He took the life of an innocent animal, a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Peter 1:19), shedding its blood. This was the ultimate sacrifice, made once and for all for the atonement of the sins of the world. That lamb represents Jesus (John 1:29).
It is through Jesus, the Lamb, that purification becomes possible, through His innocent blood. By believing in the Lamb, we are made right with God, free from the judgement that was pronounced against man after the fall.
If you have not done so yet, why not invite the Lamb, Jesus, into your heart today?
Song of Worship
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank you for introducing priesthood. Thank You for the provision therein for the remission of my sins.in Jesus’ name. Amen.