Nougat 23

Wanna know one reason why we owe Jesus our lives? Check out today’s Holy Nougat

“And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the previous dispensation, each sin required almost immediate atonement and compensation to God. That is – it wasn’t enough to just pray, asking for forgiveness. A blood sacrifice needed to be made. This involved turtledoves, oxen, sheep or goats, and depended on one’s economic status as well as the nature of the sin. And sacrifices, not necessarily for specific sins, were atoned for in categories of offerings; namely:

• Sin Offering: for unintentional sin against God; atoned with female animal (commoners), a male goat (leaders), or a bull (priests).

• Burnt Offerings: for general sin where the entire carcass was burned and the blood sprinkled on the altar.

• Peace offerings represented acts of thanksgiving to God, and included unleavened bread in addition to the sacrificial animal (male and female). Parts of the meat were accessible to me priests for eating (remember Eli’s sons offended God with their greed).

• Guilt or Trespass offerings: as the name suggested, addressed outstanding debts, or unintentional sins associated with fraudulent activities. It usually involves repayment in money/kind.

• Grain offerings: were consistently offered to God in grateful praise for all God had done. As indicated by the name, it comprised of fine flour mixed with oil and/or unleavened bread. It was split in portions; part mixed with frankincense and burned at the altar; while the other was given to the priests.

These did not include the annual sacrifice for atonement of sins. At that time a bull and a goat were slain as part of the special sacrifice before the priest entered the Holy of Holies. And a special goat was selected, and the sins of the community were metaphorically placed on the goat. Afterwards the goat was led outside of the community and released near a cliff. This was called a scapegoat.

We are reminded that such sacrifices were temporary and required ongoing ‘renewal’. But there’s One very special sacrifice, Jesus, Who was our Scapegoat. And in becoming our Scapegoat through His death at Calvary; Jesus eliminated the need for sacrifices in that manner.

We no longer are bound by our sins, past or present.

Hallelujah! Thank God for Jesus!

May all we seek be found in Christ