READING: Leviticus 24-25, Psalm 81, Hebrews 9
Every day, priests in Judaism performed their duties in the Temple, including offering sacrifices. Every year, the high priest offered sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. These religious rituals might have brought temporary release from guilt, but they could not ultimately make men holy or grant them internal peace. The Old Testament sacrificial system left them needing more – and those sacrifices pointed to the One who would be “more”: Jesus.
Jesus died one time for the sins of the world, and He bought redemption not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood. Through the sacrificial, atoning death of the unblemished Lamb of God, God redeems us from our transgressions, cleanses our conscience, and frees us to serve the living God. Jesus is thus the perfect mediator to represent us before the Father.
Every time I read of the plan of God—an Old Testament system that foreshadows the New Testament coming of Christ, and a New Testament story of Christ that is incomplete without the Old Testament—I’m reminded how much reading the Word matters. In that Word, we learn of our Savior and Redeemer who fulfilled the Father’s plan for us. Today, I’m grateful that the blood of Jesus makes me whole.
PRAYER: “I praise You, God, for Your eternal plan. It’s amazing to me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 26-27, Psalm 112, Hebrews 10