READING:
One-year plan: Leviticus 14-16
Two-year plan: Esther 4-7, Acts 16:35-17:9
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I look around the world today, and I see bad news. Wars continue in more than one locale. Refugees wander the globe. Poverty and hunger still exist. Airplanes crash. Terrorists attack. Stock markets struggle. Politics become circus shows. Families break up, often wounding children. People die, both naturally and at the hands of others. We need some good news.
Today’s Scripture reading is a foreshadowing of the greatest news ever — the coming of a Redeemer to atone for our sins through His death. As the priests sacrificed one animal and sent another as a scapegoat into the wilderness, God granted cleansing. Indeed, here’s the text that grabs my attention today: “Atonement will be made for you on this day to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord” (Lev 16:30). Though the sacrifices of the Day of Atonement could only point toward the sacrifice that would ultimately save us (Jesus), they also pointed toward the forgiveness God gives us today.
Through the sacrificial death of Jesus, we can be clean before God. Amen.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How much does being clean before God matter to you?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for making me clean.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Leviticus 17-20
Two-year plan: Esther 8-10, Acts 17:10-21
MEMORIZATION VERSE (Feb 1-15):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
*portions first published in 2016
