I have completed my reading of Leviticus, the third book of the Bible, in my 2014 adventure of reading through the Bible in one year (“three chapters a day and five on Sunday”).
In Leviticus I encountered the details of God’s requirements for sacrifice for sin for the Old Testament. These sacrifices look forward to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross of Calvary.
They reflect the high cost of sin in God’s economy. There was so much shedding of blood it was depressing. I was reminded of how seriously God reckons with sin. As a just God He does not lightly brush aside sin.
In this upcoming season of Lent, ushered in on Ash Wednesday, we can gather to corporately confess our sin and by faith be covered with the shed blood of Christ. Let us take seriously, as God does, the high price He paid for our redemption.
Please consider a spiritual discipline which will involve personal sacrifice and effort- not that we merit forgiveness thereby but that we may draw near to God and behold His costly sacrifice for our sins and then we may honor Him.
Examples of Spiritual Disciplines Appropriate for Lent:
1. A daily, disciplined reading of the Bible, God’s Word.
2. A daily, disciplined prayer and praise time.
3. Acts of charity for someone in need or someone who is hurting.
4. Denying self an expense.
5. Denying self a food we’re fond of eating.
May the Holy Spirit use this season of Lent to draw us near to the heart of the Savior.
Pastor Tim Cartwright