Leviticus 16 ~ Total Cleansing

Leviticus 16 paints a shadow of what the day of atonement signifies. Aaron was instructed not to enter the Holy Place whenever he pleased so that he may not die as God will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat (verse 2). And only he, the high priest, had the authority to perform the sacrifice. This sacrifice was performed so as to make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins (verse 16).

Such a violent death and blood spill are necessary for full atonement: the goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness (verse 22), for on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you (verse 30), that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins (verse 34). And indeed, in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year (Hebrews 10:3).

The point that God is holy, that man is sinful, and that sacrifice is needed for atonement shows us that the sacrifices in the Old Testament is an ineffectual shadow that points towards reality in the true sacrifice, for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). And this true sacrifice is none other than the real cleansing provided by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins - we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10). Hebrews 10:19-22 goes on to tell us that we have confidence by the new and living way paved by the great priest, Christ Himself, who is the reason for our full assurance that we are now clean.

Thank you, Lord, for cleansing us from our sins, once for all...