Unlocking the Secrets of Leviticus
For many Christians, the book of Leviticus is a mysterious and often neglected part of the Bible. According to a recent survey, it’s the least favorite book among Bible readers worldwide. However, this perception couldn’t be further from the truth. Leviticus holds a wealth of knowledge and insights that can deepen our understanding of God’s plan of salvation.
A Personal Discovery
I recall a personal experience that changed my perspective on Leviticus. While setting up for a conference at a retreat center, my friends and I stumbled upon an old set of blueprints. As we examined them, we discovered a hidden room that had been built behind a wall. This experience reminded me of the book of Leviticus, which contains the blueprints for God’s plan of atonement.
The Language of Ritual
Leviticus is written in the language of ritual, which can be unfamiliar to modern readers. However, this language holds the key to understanding the book’s significance. The traditional wedding ceremony is one of the few remaining settings where we participate in profound realities through ritual. By studying Leviticus, we can recover an appreciation for the language of ritual and unlock its secrets.
Atonement Blueprints
The book of Leviticus contains the Old Testament laws about sacrifices, purity, and atonement. These laws comprise the detailed pattern – the “blueprints” – that Jesus had in his heart to fulfill on the cross. By studying Leviticus, we can gain a deeper understanding of the work of atonement accomplished by Jesus.
Five Kinds of Sacrifices
Leviticus 1:1-7:38 introduces a catalog of five different kinds of sacrifices: whole burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. At first, these details may seem mind-numbing, but patient study reveals insights into the multifaceted work achieved on the cross. Each offering provides a window into the goal of forgiving sins and renewing God’s people in communion with himself.
Relationship: The Telos of Atonement
The final two categories of sacrifice, sin offerings and guilt offerings, deal with the damages caused by sin. Leviticus describes the sin offering as a ritual detergent, cleansing away the accumulated filth of the people’s offenses. The guilt offering makes repayment for the debt that human sin incurs against the Lord. By studying these sacrifices, we can understand the extensive work of atonement required to restore our relationship with God.
Delighting in the Details
Rather than being scared off by the elaborate minutia in Leviticus, we should delight in all that detail. This ancient Levitical handbook preserves the blueprints that Jesus followed to complete the final sacrifice on the cross. If we want to know what was on Jesus’ heart as he did so, we will turn to the book of Leviticus. And we will not be disappointed.
A Cherished Focus
After his resurrection, Jesus gathered his disciples to explain what he had just done. He began with “the Law of Moses” (which includes Leviticus) and continued with “the Prophets and the Psalms.” As Jesus taught, the disciples’ hearts burned within them. Indeed, the atonement blueprints in Leviticus are an important window into the cross of Jesus, and they should be a cherished focus for every Christian’s study and marvel.
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