Nothing but the Blood

From the reading of the Chronological Bible, February 16th.

Today’s passage of reading covers Leviticus 1:1- 4:35. The Lord spoke to Moses, instructing him, “When any of you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock (V. 1:2).”

You will notice during this reading there were different offerings that were brought to the Lord depending on the sin that is committed. These offerings included: The burnt offering, the grain offering, the fellowship offering, and the sin offering. The burnt offering was to make payments for sin in general. This was a person’s way for showing devotion to God. The grain offering was to show honor and respect to God in worship. This offering was a person’s acknowledgment that all we have belongs to God. The fellowship offering was a way of expressing gratitude to God, symbolizing peace and fellowship with Him. The sin offering was to make payment for unintentional sin, and sins of uncleanness. This particular offering restored the sinner to relationship with God, and showed ones seriousness of the sins that were in their life.

When a person would bring an offering from the herd or the flock, it was usually a lamb or a bull that was unblemished. The person then laid his hand on the head of the animal to symbolize the person’s complete identification with the animal as his substitute. The animal was killed and the priest would sprinkle the blood. This symbolically transferred his sins to the animal, thus his sins were taken away (atonement).

When a person had committed sin, the only way to be forgiven and restored to relationship with God, something had to die; blood had to be shed to cover the sin. I also believe that in our lives, in order for addictions and habitual sins to be broken, there will be apart of us that has to die. I am so thankful that today, I don’t have to go out in the back yard to find an animal to sacrifice on behalf of my sins. What can wash away my sins, what can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Christ came to this world on our behalf to give all, to offer his life for us just once. This was His precious love for us; sacrificing His life so everyday we can experience grace and forgiveness, and come into the holy place of His presence! Who says love isn’t painful? It was His love for us that caused Him to experience the most pain anyone has ever encountered. Be thankful, praise Him always for what He has done, and never cease to plead His blood over your life, and the lives of your friends and family!