Saturday, December 17, 2016

Finding the Messiah in Leviticus December 17

Finding the Messiah in Leviticus December 17
Leviticus 22:1- 16

No one was too inconsequential to be provided a way to atone for sin, return to relationship with God, and have his life restored. The most unimportant member of the community had a place at the altar. The more influential members of the community had greater responsibility and greater authority, requiring a more expensive offering, but they were not granted greater access according to God’s instructions.

No one was too poor to be able to fulfill the requirements of this provisional atonement. The price was just enough to be costly to the one offering. How much blood was poured at his altar was not the important thing to God. The important thing to God was that the sacrifice be a mark of true repentance and obedience.

The God of all creation needs nothing that we can give him. But a sacrifice that costs us little means little to him. For a man who is destitute, giving a handful of flour may leave him hungry for a day—his obedience is costly and demands an honest confession of brokenness. That is the sacrifice that God desires. A handful of flour from such a man means more to God than the blood of ten goats offered in indifference or pride out of the abundance of a rich man. Still, a rich man was required to give only one goat—as long it marked true repentance and obedience.
Third, if the price is the same for every sin, and the price must be costly to the one offering the sacrifice, ask yourself this question: when the one offering the sacrifice is the God of all creation himself, what sacrifice is sufficient? There is nothing in creation that God needs. The only thing he can possibly give that is truly costly to him is himself. And so, when, in the fullness of time, God offered the sacrifice to end all sacrifices, he gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity. He could do no less.

Sin is deadly serious. God is indeed gracious and loving!

From Chris tiller Perfect Priest Perfect Sacrifice Sermon

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