Leviticus 16:15

We are all masters at downplaying our sin! We minimize our sins, calling them “mistakes.’ We shift blame for our sins saying someone else (or the devil) made me do it. But if our sin is no big deal then why did the Son of God have to shed His innocent blood and die for them? Why couldn’t God just “overlook” our sin? Remember, our sins are not just a little white lie here or a little self-indulgence there. At their core, our sins come out of a high-handed rebellion against God. It is the spirit inside of us that wants to knock God off the throne so we can be in charge of our own lives. It is only God, in His extravagant mercy and grace, through the final sacrifice of Christ, shedding His blood, giving His life on our behalf, that we can be pardoned, forgiven, restored. Our great sin required Christ’s greater sacrifice! Thank You Lord Jesus!

PASSAGE: Leviticus 16:15 - "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it."

PAUSE: The Mercy Seat (Atonement Seat) was where the blood of goats and bulls covered the people's sins. The Apostle Paul replaced the Mercy Seat of the OT with Christ as our new Mercy Seat (see Romans 3:25). Now, the forgiveness of sins is found in Christ alone and through faith alone. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me see the seriousness of my sins! Please open my eyes to see the sacrifice and the mercy shown to me due to my sin.