Grand Sweep Daily
Leviticus
34 This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites. And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses.
II Corinthians 3:12-18 (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Good morning!
The Lord gave Moses specific and detailed instructions surrounding the annual ritual known as the Day of Atonement. Once a year, Aaron was only allowed into the Most Holy of Holy places to offer sin and guilt offerings for himself, his family, and for the Israelite people. On this special day, Aaron would follow the instruction of the Lord, and sacrifice a young bull for the sin offering and a ram for the burnt offering. He would bathe and dress in the special garments to be used only for the purpose of fulfilling the sacrifice of atonement. Two goats would be presented; one would be sacrificed as a sin offering and the other goat became the scapegoat, bearing the shame and guilt of all the people. This goat would then be taken to a deserted place and let loose to wander and die alone. All the while, Aaron would sprinkle the blood of the offerings around the atonement cover. Without the blood, these offerings would not bring forth the much-needed forgiveness for sin.
Aaron’s act of worship created an environment for change inside the tabernacle. By welcoming God through the sacrifice of worship, he laid the foundation for God to forgive and forget. It is an amazing thing when God forgives and forgets. What a blessing it is to serve the One who loves us that much.
When Jesus grabs hold of your heart, everything changes. He is the fulfillment of all Scripture. It is His love that overcame sin and death once and for all. His blood contains the cleansing power necessary to wipe away our sin and free us for life! His sacrifice is the ultimate and only sacrifice needed. He became the scapegoat for all of our guilt and shame. When we call upon the name of Jesus, profess Him as the Lord and Savior, confess our sins and ask Him to forgive, our hearts are transformed from the inside out. His power is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike the Israelites, we don’t have to wait for the annual Day of Atonement. He is here. He is now. Jesus is God, the Son – the One who sets us free!
In the tabernacle, the veil was placed before the Holy of Holies as a protective shield. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn. Now there is no separation between God and man, through the bridge gap of Jesus Christ. He made the way – a direct link for you and for me to experience the Father’s love. We cannot find Him without calling upon the name of Jesus. When we call on His name, our hearts begin to burn with His glory. We become like little lightening bugs, shining into the darkness of the world. His holy fire begins to purify our lives as the Lord of life takes up residence in our heart. Sin is dealt with and destroyed. Our faces radiate His glory, as we are transformed by the Holy Spirit.
If you would like to experience the glory of God for yourself, invite Jesus to come and live within your heart today. He not only forgives your sin when you sincerely repent; our God forgets it forever! Our mistakes are washed away by the power of the blood. Transformation is an amazing thing. I have experienced the redemptive love of Jesus Christ in my life. He lives within my heart, and I am on fire with His love. The old is gone and the new has come. Won’t you step behind the veil and be transformed by Jesus this morning - you will never be the same again!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Pray for: transformation to occur from the inside out. When Jesus grabs hold of your heart, your life will change forever! Our Father, through the powerful blood of Jesus Christ, forgives and forgets! Won’t you come to Christ today?
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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