Leviticus Chapter 16: verse 21 (NIV-UK)
He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites – all their sins – and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.
This chapter of Leviticus explains the concept of the scapegoat – the substitute on whom the sins of Israel were symbolically laid – pointing ahead to the work of Jesus on the cross. What struck me here was the fact that the priest had to confess all of their sins over the goat, the verse makes clear- all their sins.
This reminded me that if I had to make a list of all my sin and wrongdoing to confess before God it would be quite a list. Jesus took the punishment, not just for some of my sins, but all of them. But by confessing that I am indeed a sinner and seeking God’s forgiveness, He took away those sins when I first became a Christian. He doesn’t remember that list anymore. However, I still do things I shouldn’t and need to bring these before God for forgiveness too. That’s why it’s best to keep short accounts with God. When I ask for His forgiveness and genuinely attempt to walk the way He says I should, these things are again forgotten by Him. The redemptive work of the cross is once again applied to my life, but it is something I should never take for granted. Jesus became my scapegoat and took the punishment that should have been mine, and for that I will always be eternally grateful.
Dear Lord,
Today’s bible verse reminds me that someone had to take the punishment for all of my sin and wrongdoing, and I know Jesus did that on my behalf. May I never take it for granted and always give Him the thanks and praise for what He has done for me. Amen.