“If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He is to slaughter the young bull before the Lord, and then Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” ~ Leviticus 1:3-5
God is giving Moses detailed instructions on how to present atonement offerings. When we read this, we don’t normally imagine what is actually going on. We think that the worshiper brings the animal, gives it to the priest who slaughters it, and presents the blood on his behalf. Then the worshiper goes away nice and clean and forgiven. But nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is the worshiper himself has to present the offering, lay his hands on the animal’s head, then with his own hand, cut the throat of the animal with all the gory details – blood everywhere, on his hands, his clothes, etc.
He sees first hand the cost of sinful disobedience, the bloody mess we are spared. What I’m getting at is, it would not be as easy after experiencing all of that to continue in a luke-warm situation and use the worn-out excuse: “God understands.” For Jesus, who purchased our salvation, was a bloody mess, beaten almost unrecognizable for our salvation, peace, and healing. Let us, therefore, fight the good fight of faith, pressing on toward the prize wholeheartedly and without excuse or apology. Put on your full Armor of God and prepare yourselves daily for the Spiritual Warfare that is before you. Be confident in your stance for Jesus and all that He stood for.
Heavenly Father, grant us the boldness and the confidence to proclaim Your Word, that others may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, I pray amen.
