For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:1–4, 12-14
Leviticus is not easy to read through. So much of it is hard for us to follow and understand since we are so far removed from the culture as well as from that stage in Redemptive history. Plus, all of the sacrifices and regulations concerning sacrifices have been made obsolete through the work of Christ Jesus. That is the point being made in Hebrews 10. So why read Leviticus? Does any of it have any application to our Christian lives? Yes!
1. Leviticus shows us that sin and forgiveness are costly.
The sheer volume of animal blood to be spilled regularly says alot about the severity of sin and what sin deserves. The detailed requirements concerning how the sacrifices were to be offered further show that dealing with sin was not a simple matter of saying “sorry”. Every time an Israelite brought his sacrifice to the priest, he was to understand that this animal had to die in his place. Leviticus shows us that God does not wink at sin and that the removal of sin is complicated and costly.
2. Leviticus shows us a glimpse of God’s grace in Christ
It was not the worshiper but the animals that suffered the penalty for the worshiper's sins and allowed him to draw near to God. Even the animal was provided by the Lord who blessed the worshiper's herds so he would have an animal to offer.
3. Leviticus prepares us for the good news about Jesus by showing a better solution is needed
As Hebrews states, the repetition of these sacrifices reveals their weakness and insufficiency. God’s people were being taught to see the desperate need for a better sacrifice and a better system - one that actually did remove sins permanently and to bring the worshiper even nearer than was possible under the old system. Jesus is that sacrifice! He is the new system! By his single offering of his body and blood he has made all of the sacrifices and rituals obsolete and useless. Jesus has overcome all of the obstacles, cut through all of the complexities and done what the blood of bulls and goats could not do: put away sin once and for all and open wide the way for us to draw near with full assurance. (Hebrews 10:22)
As Christians, our response to these chapters should be gratitude for the work of redemption that Jesus has accomplished and applied to all who believe. Gratitude is not merely a matter of saying “thank you” but of living a life worthy of Christ. This is Paul’s point in Romans 12.
“Therefore, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. (Romans 12:1)
I encourage you to use these chapters as a springboard for this kind of worship. Give thanks to the Lord Jesus with your whole life and all of your inmost being for paying it all and providing a far better way to draw near to God.
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