This week I have focused my studies on Leviticus chapter 16, which teaches us about The Day of Atonement. Strangely, I don't remember learning about this at all as I grew up, but this was one incredibly important day!
To the Children of Israel, the Day of Atonement was a holy day where the High Priest would make a sacrifice to God, for himself and for them, to atone for their sins. It was a day of fasting, and a day of humbling themselves before the Lord.
I found it very interesting that Aaron was required to make a sacrifice for himself before he could make the sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. This reminds us that only one who is blameless before God can atone for the sins of others (as Christ did for every one of us).
This chapter is also where we read about a scapegoat. The sins of all the people are symbolically transferred onto a goat, which is then led into the wilderness, never to be seen again. This teaches us that we need to put all of our sins away from us and walk in righteousness before God. It is also a type of Christ, who took all of our sins upon Himself.
There is a beautiful quote by Elder James E. Talmage:
"God has never refused to accept an offering made by one who is authorized on behalf of those who are in any way incapable of doing the required service themselves. The scapegoat and the altar victim of ancient Israel, if offered with repentance and contrition, were accepted by the Lord in mitigation of the sins of the people." (Articles of Faith, p 77; emphasis added.)
Christ has done for us what we could never do for ourselves! He was authorized by God to do so, and He lived a sinless life so that He could be worthy and able to sacrifice Himself on our behalf. We must repent and humbly offer our hearts to God for Christ's Atonement to work for us.
What does the picture at the beginning of my post have to do with the Day of Atonement? Leave your thoughts or questions as a comment below!!! :)
2 comments:
very insightful! you are so good at this!
The Atonement is a difficult subject to "really" understand, but I really like the way you explained things. The bread and water in the picture represent the blood and flesh of Christ and as we are worthy and are willing, we commit to live each day in accordance with His will by partaking of the bread and water during the Sacrament. In return He promises us wonderful blessings.....but I think too often we partake of the Sacrament as a habit instead of viewing it as the wonderful privilege that it is every week for us to be able to do so. Thank you for helping me to contemplate the Sacrament a little more today.
Post a Comment