The Book of Leviticus, straight out of the gate begins to describe animal sacrifice, which leads to atonement of sin by the blood of those animals. The Scriptures take sin very seriously and describe its consequences bluntly: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23). Our sin is a serious problem that we cannot fix on our own. We do not have the ability, as finite, sinful creatures, to restore our relationship to God. Our offense of sin is too great for us to reconcile. However, the LORD is merciful and compassionate and He sets out to deal with sin; to overturn the bondage of sin from all of creation. The Book of Leviticus takes sin seriously, as well, and sets into motion (by the LORD’s command) a number of ways to help reconcile the relationship between the Israelites and the LORD. If we diminish the weight and gravity of our sin, we in turn steal the power of grace that our Heavenly Father desires to bestow upon us. God the Father sent His Son into the world to rescue it from its dire condition and situation. If we do not face our sin with all its consequences and recognize by the Holy Spirit that we need a Redeemer, we will never know the great gift of God’s grace and mercy. Peter describes this great redemption in his first letter, saying: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18a). The apostle goes on to remind us that God first deals with our sin in our baptism. God is the one who initiates dealing with our sinful condition and God, through Christ’s blood, deals with our sin by washing us clean in our baptisms.

Take a few moments each day this week to bask in the good news that Christ has made you at peace with God the Father, not by anything that you have done; or by anything that you have not done. You have simply been made at peace with the Father by the gift of faith. This gift was from the Holy Spirit and you received it at your baptism.