Adventicus

Advent spent in Leviticus

Adventicus

At our church we are spending the month of December, and the season of Advent, in the book of Leviticus.

If you are familiar with the Bible you know that Leviticus is probably the least read book in the entire Bible (falling behind Ecclesiastes and Haggai perhaps). It’s full of law and ceremony and details about building and animal sacrifice.  And, for the most part, no one likes reading it.

But I have had a deep appreciation for Leviticus for several years now, and I was really looking forward to the time we would spend in Leviticus as a church.  And Ill tell you why.

Leviticus is where we read about the law God gave and the sacrificial ceremonies that had to be preformed every day in order to deal with the sin of the Hebrew people; their failing to keep the law.  There were specific instructions about the animals, the fire, the time of day and the clothes to wear when making a sacrifice.  God was incredibly specific about how atonement for sin had to be carried out. 

And while this may seem like a chore to read for some people, I find it to be incredible.  Every single Hebrew knew that no sacrifice was ever sufficient enough to deal with all of their sin forever.  They would always have to bring back another sacrifice on another day, and go through the entire ritual again. 

Until Jesus. 

When Jesus came, was born to Mary, lived His life on this earth, died on the cross and was raised from the dead,  He brought the end to all sacrifice.  HE was the final sacrifice, once and for all who believe.  He was the atonement for all the sin of all those who believe.

And I really don’t think that we, living so far removed from the days of sacrifice, fully understand what it means that Christ is our sacrifice unless we spend time in Leviticus. 

And I am so thankful that our pastor is. 

Advent spent in Leviticus.

Adventicus