Rev. Don Campbell
Exodus 28-29
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019THE HIGH PRICE OF SIN
God gave detailed instructions for making the priestly garments and for the daily sacrifices that were to be offered by the priests on behalf of the congregation. For example, a bull was to be offered every day as a sin offering for atonement (Ex 29:36). Two lambs were also offered, one in the morning and one in the evening. Various food and drink offerings were also made. These offerings were made without regard to specific sins. When an sinned unintentionally and it became known, a blood offering had to be made (Lev 4:1-35).
Again, we let an inspired writer comment: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb 9:22). “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified´” (Heb 10:11-14).
Sin is costly. About 500 years later when Solomon’s temple was dedicated, “Solomon offered as peace offerings to the Lord 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord” (1 Kgs 8:63). This, of course, was not a normal day’s offerings. However, with the priest serving over a million people daily, the number of slain animals on any day must have been great.
The once-for-all sacrifice of Christ abolished all these offerings, but sin cost God his Son and his Son his life. We are warned: “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:26-31).
CONNECTIONS – Hebrews 4:16 – Romans 3:23
1. Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice replaced animal sacrifice, but it did not replace sacrifice. David said, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise” (Psa 51:17). Until our heart is broken by sin and contrition fills our soul, sin will be no more to us than a simple mistake, hardly worthy of eternal hell. Can you fill in the blank? “Guilt is designed to bring us to God where we find ________. [If you want to check your answer, see Heb 4:16].
2. Paul said, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Does the fact that all have sinned dilute our personal guilt?
