Life Capsule for Today Date: 26th March, 2024
Theme: The Atonement (3)
Text: Rom 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
KJV
Topic: Atonement in the Old Testament
Memory:Lev 17:11
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. KJV
Words of the Ministry:
Amen, this week we began a study on the atonement, and we learnt that God’s righteous justice system required a price of death be paid for sin as our God cannot behold iniquity, His love for his choice creation, man, made him provide a means of temporarily forgiving man, this was through animal sacrifices. Today we intend to look at the atonement in the Old Testament and some lessons it affords, we would also highlight the limitations of the old testament atonement and the need for the once and for all effective sacrifice for mankind in the person Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. Yesterday we learnt that the life of an animal is in its blood and when a blood is shed, the life is taken and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, in other words, blood was a compulsory element to secure forgiveness before our holy God.
Reading through the book of Leviticus, one would but notice the several references to blood so much that some say it’s a bloody book, the shedding of blood and sacrifices had a special place, As God related with the people, they had to approach him only through blood, the account says even the High priest, the tabernacle, the vessels to be used for sacrifices and the people had to be sprinkled with blood else they couldn’t approach God, this they had to do at every occasion before entering God’s presence.
The Life of an animal was poured out for the people but animal life being lower than human life could not meet the judicial requirements of God, year after year, animal sacrifices were made but the best it could do was to cover their sins Heb 10.11, it couldn’t blot it away while the life of the animal was made a substitute for the people Judgment was carried out by transferring the sin of the people to the animal sacrifice. The Passover lamb and the scapegoat were substitutes for the offerer. The animal sacrifice was a sign that death had already taken place Lev 17.11. So under the old covenant practice, the animal blood sacrifices could not purge their conscience, it was an outward ritual while their inward condition was left untouched Heb 9.13-14.
The Old Testament saints anticipated the death of Christ for their sins by offering animal sacrifices. The sinner was forgiven only after the priest offered the bloody sacrifice anticipating the death of Christ for sin (John 1.36) Paul said, “In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us” Ephesians 1:7-8.
Bible in one year: Judges 11-12. For further fellowship send us an email on godmanvideos@gmail.comor visit our youtube channel: @godmanmedia. You can also interact with us by dropping your comments on our facebook page. Our physical meeting, Word feast comes up every Wednesday by 5pm and Prayer Gym every Saturday by 7am while PENIEL comes up once a month, every last Sunday of the month from 4pm to 6.30pm at Suite A10, Ahser Office Complex, beside Living Faith Church, Opposite Hassan Stores, Arab Road, Kubwa Abuja.