Be Holy. I Can’t. He Can.

CONSIDER THIS

Let’s be honest: reading Leviticus is a struggle. It feels like an endless list of ancient, rigid rules. But if we look closer, we’ll discover Leviticus is a powerful story of redemption. It tackles the question: How can messy, sinful people live in the presence of a holy God?

In His grace, God provides a way. The priesthood and sacrifices were a temporary, imperfect bridge over the massive chasm created by sin. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest followed precise instructions to pass through the tabernacle’s heavy curtain. He alone could enter the Holy of Holies to stand in God’s presence and atone for the people’s sins.

Leviticus calls us to “be holy, for I am holy,” but we can’t and fail every time. Yet the book points to Someone who can — and did.

The real Day of Atonement happened on the cross. Jesus not only offered the sacrifice as our High Priest; He is the sacrifice. He paid our debt and carried our sins far away. No more sacrifices needed. Plus, get this, the moment Jesus died, the tabernacle’s thick curtain separating us from God’s presence was torn from top to bottom. He invites us into His presence anytime, all time. Jesus indeed accomplishes the ultimate work of atonement — once for all!

What do we need to do? Nothing. Jesus — our High Priest, Sacrifice, and Savior — did all the work. Be holy. We say, “I can’t.” Jesus says, “I can.” And did. 

In God’s eyes, through His Son, we are holy!