Slideshow image

“He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat…” Leviticus 16:14

The Old Testament book of Leviticus can be a difficult read because it contains the ceremonial law for ancient Israel, laws concerning festivals and sacrifices, etc. But though it is a difficult read, it is also a wonderful book for those who read it through the lens of the gospel of salvation in Christ.

One such example is found in Leviticus 16, which provides instruction for “Yom Kippur" (the Day of Atonement). This was the day each year in which the high priest would perform sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. And Lev 16:14 says that the high priest would take the blood of the bull that had been sacrificed and apply it to the “mercy seat” on the Ark of the Covenant.

But admittedly, such practices seem strange to most people in the 21st century. What is going on here? This ritual was intended to point forward. Observers were pointed forward to a sacrifice that would finally and completely deal with sin, that would atone for sin once and forever. This future sacrifice would not be of a bull, for the book of Hebrews tells us that “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Heb 10:4). Rather, the sacrifice to which all the sacrifices of Leviticus pointed was the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. There, all who will place their faith and trust in Christ are “sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb 10:10). In Christ and Christ alone is forgiveness for sin; in Him alone is salvation.

Pastor Craig Montgomery, Cranbrook Fellowship Baptist

www.cranbrookfellowshipbaptist.ca  YouTube sermon channel: “Pastor Craig Montgomery”

 

Pastor Craig publishes  "A Word from God's Word" weekly in the "Kootenay News Advertiser".