February 18

In Leviticus 4-7, God gives detailed instructions about offerings for sin, guilt, and restitution. These sacrifices were necessary for the Israelites to address their sins, whether intentional or unintentional, and to maintain fellowship with a holy God. Each offering pointed to God’s justice and mercy, providing a way for His people to experience forgiveness and restoration. Yet, these offerings had to be repeated continually because they could not fully remove sin.  

Hebrews 3 shifts our focus to Jesus, the ultimate High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the sacrificial system. The author of Hebrews calls us to “fix our thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest” (Hebrews 3:1). Jesus is faithful over God’s house as a Son, greater than Moses, who was a servant. While the sacrifices in Leviticus served a temporary purpose, Jesus’ perfect sacrifice provided eternal redemption, making Him the foundation of our faith.  

These passages together highlight the profound grace of God in providing Jesus as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system. In Leviticus, the sacrifices were a temporary solution, but in Jesus, we have the final and complete atonement for sin. Hebrews 3 also warns us not to harden our hearts as the Israelites did in the wilderness but to remain faithful, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ’s work.  

The offerings in Leviticus remind us of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. Sin is costly, requiring atonement, but Jesus bore that cost once for all on the cross. This truth invites us to live with gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to holiness. Through Christ, we are not only forgiven but also empowered to walk in obedience and faithfulness, holding firmly to our confidence and hope in Him.  

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