Make an Offering

(Today's reading - Leviticus 8:1- 10:20) The LORD is in His tabernacle. Aaron and his sons are consecrated (set apart) for service before God. His people are commanded to start bringing their offerings to the tabernacle. It is almost dizzying to read about the required offerings that God commands.
The idea of offering God sacrifices is nothing new, one only needs to think back to Cain and Abel. But the organized ritual of offerings by Gods' people required by His covenant that we read about here is new. The priesthood is established and their function of offering sacrifices for Gods' people is put in place. Day after day, year after year, the priests would stand before the altar and offer the blood of bulls and goats to allow God to stay in a relationship with His people. God requires a payment for sin. The tenth chapter of Hebrews really helps here. (you must stop here and read it, Hebrews 10:1-18)
We are told that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. Jesus came to offer himself, once, for all; His blood can do what the other blood could not. The shedding of His blood will permanently and completely remove the sins of His people. We are made holy through His sacrifice. We read that the first will (covenant) has been set aside and that He has established the second. Great news!!
In the second, "we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (verse 10) Once, for all. Everyone has the opportunity to be made holy, not a select few. Everyone has the opportunity, but not everyone will chose to take advantage of it. No more need for the daily offering of bulls and goats (I am sure they are thankful for that). There is so much that could be said here, but I want to focus on the wonderful gift of Jesus and how much we benefit by His sacrifice.
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary." (Hebrews 10:16-18) Jesus' sacrifice ended the old covenant and all of its' ordinances and put in its' place a better covenant that is in our hearts and provides full, complete forgiveness of our sins. Christians have been set free. Slaves to sin no more. Slaves to daily sacrifice for sins, no more. In the words of MLK, "Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last".