The Most Holy Place
15 “He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. 16 In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17 No one is to be in the tent of meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.
Leviticus 16:15-17
I wonder if you have ever been in a place that just felt like heaven was touching earth. Maybe it was out in the surf one day, or at the top of a mountain. Or maybe it was at Church!
There’s two main bits I want you to see in this passage. Firstly, Aaron sprinkles the blood of the bull on the atonement cover. This is the lid or top of the Ark of the Covenant. It’s also called the ‘Mercy Seat’. Two carved angels on either side stare in wonder at what occurs there. This is where the blood of atonement is sprinkled.
This is also the place where God said to Moses, “there I will meet with you”. Leviticus 16 is a moment when one man stands in the place where heaven truly meets earth. The place where God’s presence is. It’s called the Most Holy Place. Which is why before he goes in there, he needs to fill the space with the smoke of incense. God is so holy, so glorious, that if you were to see his presence you would die.
Hebrews paints a fascinating picture of Christ and the Day of Atonement. In Hebrews 9 the picture is that Jesus has entered, not the tabernacle of Leviticus, but the true tabernacle that is heaven. He brought to God the sacrifice of himself and therefore was able to cleanse God’s people forever.
Therefore, Hebrews 10 tells us, we can now enter the Most Holy Place. The curtain that separated God’s presence from sinners has been torn in two and a new way has been made. It’s a reality we take all too lightly, we can enjoy God’s presence.
And the encouragement of the writer of Hebrews is then - drawn near. The way is open. Will you draw near to God? Or keep him at arms length? On Saturday, I want to consider what it means to draw near to God.
Today:
Pray:
Leviticus 16:15-17
I wonder if you have ever been in a place that just felt like heaven was touching earth. Maybe it was out in the surf one day, or at the top of a mountain. Or maybe it was at Church!
There’s two main bits I want you to see in this passage. Firstly, Aaron sprinkles the blood of the bull on the atonement cover. This is the lid or top of the Ark of the Covenant. It’s also called the ‘Mercy Seat’. Two carved angels on either side stare in wonder at what occurs there. This is where the blood of atonement is sprinkled.
This is also the place where God said to Moses, “there I will meet with you”. Leviticus 16 is a moment when one man stands in the place where heaven truly meets earth. The place where God’s presence is. It’s called the Most Holy Place. Which is why before he goes in there, he needs to fill the space with the smoke of incense. God is so holy, so glorious, that if you were to see his presence you would die.
Hebrews paints a fascinating picture of Christ and the Day of Atonement. In Hebrews 9 the picture is that Jesus has entered, not the tabernacle of Leviticus, but the true tabernacle that is heaven. He brought to God the sacrifice of himself and therefore was able to cleanse God’s people forever.
Therefore, Hebrews 10 tells us, we can now enter the Most Holy Place. The curtain that separated God’s presence from sinners has been torn in two and a new way has been made. It’s a reality we take all too lightly, we can enjoy God’s presence.
And the encouragement of the writer of Hebrews is then - drawn near. The way is open. Will you draw near to God? Or keep him at arms length? On Saturday, I want to consider what it means to draw near to God.
Today:
- Have you ever had a moment where you felt like heaven met earth?
- What detail of the day of atonement do you find strange or fascinating?
- Do you look to Jesus as your way to enjoy God?
Pray:
- Praise God for his glorious presence.
- Give thanks for Jesus who makes a way for us to meet with God.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others keep trusting in Jesus as the way to enjoy God.
Posted in Leviticus
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