Today's Reading:

Leviticus 5
Leviticus 6
Leviticus 7

 
Before Jesus, there was the Old Testament with the Old Covenant. People relented to God through the rules and the Law by way of the priests. They would offer animal sacrifices and obey them perfectly or face quick punishment. God seemed distant, holy , and even a bit scary- like a strict judge or king. Most people could not get close to Him at all; only the priests could enter the Tabernacle and be in His presence.  

But Jesus changed everything without changing God the Father, Himself. The Father did not become something new; He has always been the same loving, just, holy God. Jesus paid the full price for sin once, and for all who believe, by dying on the cross. Jesus tore down the barrier between God and us. Now, anyone can come straight to Him, no middleman needed. The Holy Spirit once came upon the Israelites and now lives inside everyone who believes. Fear was replaced with a real relationship, and judgment was gone under grace. God revealed Himself as no longer a far-off ruler, but as a loving, close Father. In simple terms, before Jesus, one was to obey perfectly or be punished. After Jesus, everyone is called to come and be restored. God is the same, but with a new covenant of open access. He gave us the most amazing gift; a relationship built on love with the gift of grace. 
The Trinity:  

• God the Father: The loving source, who was the far-off ruler that initiated and planned all.  
  
• God the Son, Jesus: paid the price so we have bold access straight to the Father, atoning for our payment. 
• God the Spirit: sealed the new reality now that the barrier was gone and makes it real in our lives so we can go straight to the Father in full access.

 

 

In continuation with the Offerings from chapters 1-4, today’s readings concluded the detailed instructions on the sacrifices. Chapter 5 expanded on the requirements for the Sin and Guilt Offerings, chapter 6 began the instructions specifically for the priests (Aaron and his sons), then chapter 7 gave further priestly regulations, the portions for the priests, and rules for the people.  

Leviticus 5 gave additional reasons for the Sin and Guilt Offerings, due to unintentional sins: not testifying as a witness, touching something unclean (animal carcass or human impurity), or giving a rash oath. The provisions for the poor were also stated. Then the chapter continued with the Guilt Offerings that were charted yesterday for the sins against the holy things that would require a sacrifice and restitution.  

In Leviticus 6, the priestly instructions began , and in chapter 7, more details were given on the offerings to follow. These were the laws for the priest handling the 5 offerings: 

• Burnt Offering: Keep a continuous fire on the altar. The priests were to wear linen, including undergarments. Undergarments were not always worn during those times, so this was to cover the naked flesh/genitals to keep modesty and set them apart from normal everyday clothes in humility. Remove the ashes. 
• Grain Offering: A portion was to be burned; the rest was eaten by the priests in the holy place. 
• Sin Offering: In some cases, the priest could eat it; the blood was not to be eaten (it gives life).  
• Guilt Offering: Similar to the Sin Offering. Most Holy, and were to be eaten by the priests.  
• Peace/Fellowship Offering: Thanksgiving offering (with unleavened cakes, eaten on the same day), vow or freewill offering (must be eaten within 2 days).  
• Additional: anointing offering for the priests. No fat or blood is to be eaten; portions for the priests were the breast waved and thigh heaved.  

 These chapters emphasize holiness, atonement, restitution, and provisions for the priests. This would allow the priest to have access to a holy God despite sin. With the inclusion of provisions for the poor in scaled levels, it showed how God was merciful to the poor. Ultimately, it all points to Jesus Christ as the perfect, once and for all sacrifice.  

 
Today's Discussion question: 

How has Jesus' death on the cross, tearing down the barrier and paying the full price once for all, personally changed the way you see God the Father, from a distant, strict judge to a loving, close Father? In what ways do you now feel truly free (or perhaps even challenged) to approach Him with bold, open access every day, with no middleman needed? And in this new reality of grace, which Person of the Trinity — the Father who planned it all, the Son who accomplished it, or the Holy Spirit who seals it inside you do you find yourself relating to or leaning on most right now, and why?

 
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