Apr 12th

Leviticus 16     Proverbs 30     Psalms 19     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Yom Kippur (the day of atonement) is still the holiest day of the year for Jews. Leviticus 16 describes its origin. Two of Aaron’s sons have died (Lev 10) because they sought unauthorised access to the Most Holy Place. Now God warns Aaron not to make the same mistake, but gives very clear guidelines on how he may approach the Most Holy Place. It is to be done but once a year. Aaron (or his successors as High Priest) is to make sacrifices first for his own sin and the sin of his household, then to make a sin offering for the whole nation. Only after this would the nation be clean from all their sins (v30).

Leviticus reminds us of the seriousness of our sin - and the need for a sacrifice to be made to pay for it. Hebrews 9 points to Jesus as fulfilment of this chapter: “When Christ came as High Priest … he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle … He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption … The blood of Christ [will] cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (v 11-14).

Give thanks for Jesus, and pray for our mission partner, Stephen Pacht, working amongst Jewish people. And serve the living God today!

(member of ordained staff)