This Is Gonna Be Good

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. This is how you are to deal with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything that violates one of the LORD’s commands. [Leviticus 4.1-2]

Oh, this is gonna be good...

All of Leviticus chapter 4 deals with unintentional sins. This is important.

Who the person or group was determined what the sacrificial animal was to be. The procedure for sacrificing the animal was pretty much the same regardless who the person or group that sinned unintentionally was (again, the unintentional part is important).

There are four individuals or groups mentioned in Leviticus 4:

1. The high priest
2. The entire Israelite community
3. One of Israel’s leaders
4. Any of the common people

Of these four mentioned, the procedure for preparing the sacrifice is basically the same. There is some difference as far as who lays hands on the head of the sacrificial animal though. There is also a difference in the animal offered for each of the four.

But here is something very interesting. Of the four groups, three are specifically declared "forgiven" (or made right with the LORD). Can you guess which one is not? The high priest! This also is significant.

Interestingly enough, Jesus, our High Priest, was necessarily not forgiven but instead punished for the sin of the world so that we might be forgiven!

But it gets better...

What did Jesus pray on the cross?

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. [Luke 23.34]

Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." In other words, "...their sin is UNINTENTIONAL!"

We all know those who crucified Jesus did so with every intention of doing so. The Gospels record it in more than sufficient detail. But Jesus, our High Priest, chose to declare the acts of those murdering Him unintentional!

This coincides perfectly with Leviticus 4 where the three groups declared 'forgiven' were made so BY THE HIGH PRIEST!

Who would have thought such a perfect picture of Jesus would be seen in today's OYCB reading from Leviticus? Awesome!

And, who would have thought that Jesus, our High Priest's example, would show us how to pray for (and thus forgive) others? Amazing!

Father, thank You for Jesus our High Priest! Thank You for showing us the importance of forgiving.