Atonement for sin through the shedding of Christ's precious blood ...

Leviticus 1:1-2:16

Jesus Christ, 'the Lamb without blemish', has 'made atonement' for sin through the shedding of His 'precious blood' (1:3-5; 1 Peter 1:18-19). This offering of Christ - He 'loved us and gave Himself up for us' - is 'a pleasing odour to the Lord', 'a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God' (1:9,13,17; Ephesians 5:2). Read of the 'cereal offering' in which there was to be 'no leaven' (2:11). Think of Christ - 'Our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed': 'Let us celebrate the festival (the Lord's Supper)...with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth' (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). May our worship - 'frankincense': an expression of worship (Matthew 2:11) - be filled with 'the oil of gladness', 'with the Holy Spirit and with fire' (Psalm 45:7; Luke 3:16). Such worship is 'most holy...to the Lord' (2:3,10).

Leviticus 3:1-4:35

Christ is the real thing. Israel's sacrifices are only 'copies of the heavenly things', 'a shadow of the good things to come' (Hebrews 9:23-24; 10:1,5-10). As you read of the 'peace offering', rejoice in this: 'we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1). We look to Christ, and we say, 'He is our peace' (Ephesians 2:14). Christ is 'our sin offering' - 'offered...to bear the sins of many (4:3; Hebrews 9:28). The 'blood' has been shed - We have been 'washed...in the blood of the Lamb' (4:5-7; Revelation 7:14). Christ went 'outside the camp' for us: He 'suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood' (4:12; Hebrews 13:11-12). For Christ, there was suffering. For us, there is forgiveness - 'he shall be forgiven' (26,31,35).

Luke 1:1-38

God was about to do 'a new thing' (Isaiah 43:19). It was centred on Christ, though John also played his part (31-33,16-17). There were obstacles - Zechariah and Elizabeth were 'old' (18), and Mary had 'no man' (34). What were these obstacles to God? - Nothing: 'with God nothing will be impossible' (37). How are we to respond to God's 'new thing'? - 'let it be to me according to Your Word' (38). How will God's 'new thing' make progress among us? - Through the power of the Holy Spirit: 'he will be filled with the Holy Spirit' (15), 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you...' (34). 'Holy Spirit, we welcome you...Move among us with holy fire...Let the breeze of your presence flow...Please accomplish in me today, some new work of loving grace, I pray; Unreservedly have Your way...' (Mission Praise, 241).

Leviticus 5:1-6:30

Christ's sacrifice covers every sin. No matter what your sin may be, you can bring it to Him for forgiveness. 'If any man sins' - Take your sin to Christ: He has 'made atonement for sin' (5:1,6,10,13-14,16; 6:2,7). 'Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit' (Mark 3:28-30) does not refer to some specific, identifiable sin, which lies beyond God's power to forgive. It refers to your persistent refusal to bring your sins to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and leads to the Saviour (John 16:8-9,14). Let Him show you your sin. Let Him lead you to your Saviour. 'It is a thing most holy' (6:17) - Never forget God's holiness. Christ's death speaks of both holiness and love. In holiness, God pronounces His judgment on sin. In love, He provides forgiveness for sinners.

Leviticus 7:1-38

As we read about the sacrifices, rejoicing in Christ - the perfect Sacrifice for sin - , let us bring our sacrifice of 'thanksgiving' (12-13,15). 'Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God' (Hebrews 13:15). Let it be 'a living sacrifice', the sacrifice of our lives - this is 'our spiritual worship' (Romans 12:1). God's salvation is 'to the praise of His glorious grace' (Ephesians 1:6). 'We bring the sacrifice of praise...we offer up to You the sacrifices of thanksgiving...the sacrifices of joy'. 'Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God, In every part with praise...Not for the lip of praise alone nor e'en the praising heart, I ask, but for a life made up of praise in every part' (Mission Praise, 722; Church Hymnary, 457). Still 'in the wilderness' (38), let us learn to worship as we travel to 'the promised land'!

Luke 1:39-80

There are two great 'songs of praise' here (46-55,67-79). God was doing 'a new thing'. His people were rejoicing in Him. Great things were happening. Greater things were going to happen. Soon, the Saviour would be born. The birth of John the Baptist (57-66) - This was great. The birth of our Saviour - This would be even greater. Mary and Zechariah felt the touch of God upon their lives, and their hearts were filled with praise to God: 'When I feel the touch of Your hand upon my life, it causes me to sing a song that I love You, Lord. So from deep within my spirit singeth unto Thee, You are my King, You are my God, and I love You Lord' (Mission Praise, 753). John was 'in the wilderness'. He 'became strong in spirit' (80). May God help us to grow spiritually, even when life is not very easy!

Leviticus 8: 1-36

'This is the thing which the Lord has commanded to be done' (5): For us, it must be 'as the Lord commanded' (4,9,13,17,21,29,36). God calls us to serve Him (Hebrews 5:4-5). Obedience to God, love for God - These are to be our priorities (1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Corinthians 13:3). Christ is to be our 'first love' (Revelation 2:4). Washed, robed, anointed (6-7,12): Our robes washed in the blood of the Lamb, we have this anointing - 'to preach the Gospel...' (Revelation 7:14; Luke 4:18-19). Ears, hands and feet: Consecrated by the blood of Christ to hear the Word of the Lord, do the work of the Lord and walk in the way of the Lord (24), we must pray for a change of heart - 'O for a heart to praise my God, a heart from sin set free; a heart that always feels Thy blood so freely shed for me' (Church Hymnary, 85).

Leviticus 9: 1-10:20

Aaron had to make atonement for himself and for the people (9:7). Christ did not need to make atonement for Himself - He was 'without sin' (Hebrews 4:15). In Christ, we are 'accepted'. In Him there is blessing, glory and joy (9:22-24; Ephesians 1:6,3; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 1:8). God has given us 'holy fire'. Let us not try to do His work with 'unholy fire' (10:1-2; Acts 2:3-4). To those who seek to live 'as the Lord has commanded' (9:7; 10:15), God promises to reveal His holiness, nearness and glory (10:3). Do you want to draw near to God, to become 'mature' in Christ? - Learn 'to distinguish between the holy and the common... the unclean and the clean...good and evil' (10:10; Hebrews 5:14). God reveals the glory of His holiness. Let us confess our sins, be forgiven and be obedient. (Isaiah 6:3-8).