Many of us have just finished reading Leviticus. This Old Testament book is one that often times stops those well-meaning Christians as they try to read through the Bible. Genesis is a fun and exciting book to read with all of the history and God’s magnificent plan of creation. Exodus compels us to continue reading because we have become attached to this band of people God has chosen to be his own. We follow with anticipation the movement out of Egypt, the giving of the Law, and the trials and tribulations of a people who see miracles but are still bound by the sinfulness of their own hearts. But then in God’s good providence comes the book of Leviticus.
We all know that this book is inspired and God breathed, and we begin reading with our continued expectation of historical narrative that has drawn us into this wonderful story. Quickly, however, we get bogged down in the many sacrifices, rules, and regulations for everything from the Grain Offerings to rules on mildew. We learn which parts of what animals they could and could not eat, how they were to eat and where, when to bring and what kind of offering to bring. If you had some level of wealth you were required to bring one thing, if you were poor – still another animal. Skin diseases, sexual relationships, and how to handle the dead are all included. As we read, one could easily think – how did these people get anything else done!
A proper understanding however of all of these rules and regulations brings us to a better understanding of worship and the holiness of God. So often today we come casually before our great God. Leviticus is a great reminder of the respect and honor that is due him. His holiness, his Name is to be honored in all that we do and worship is about him – not just what we need.
All of this has been moving me in the last month to a better appreciation of the simplicity of the Cross. Christ died once for all who call on his Name. He died once for all those that the Father had given him. Unlike the Israelites, I don’t have to repeatedly make atonement for my continual sin. He is the one-time scapegoat. Christ died for me – once for all. Of course there is great complexity as well in the Cross. How could Christ die for my sins? How could God die at all? But these are questions for another day and indeed J.I. Packer is right – once we get past the incarnation, the cross and resurrection are more easily understood.
In our present case, the Cross is the simple one time answer to the repeated and often misused regulations of the Old Testament. God became my scapegoat for my sin. He is the atonement for my willful actions against him. For all who will flee to the cross, there is an everlasting grace and salvation that comes when you know him as Lord and Savior. His blood was shed for my sins. He died so I can live forever with him. The simplicity of the Gospel is the simplicity of the Cross.