Leviticus 16 - Before God

Man is prone to making his own way and defining sin in such a way that it does not include himself, but God makes it clear in scripture that you cannot come into His presence whenever and however you want. Times may have changed, but God has not. He cannot accept sin, but he does provide a way for sinners to be reconciled.  Throughout this chapter, we see foreshadows of Jesus the only provision for our sin. 

Priest

The priest stands in the gap for the people petitioning God's forgiveness. The priest had to atone for his own sin, but Jesus never had to atone for sin, because he was the only one without sin and the only one worthy to stand before the Father on behalf of the people. 

Sacrifice

The animal that was selected as the sacrifice is a picture of the sacrifice Jesus offers on behalf of the people. The day of atonement came annually because the blood was not able to cover the sin of the people sufficiently. Jesus' sacrifice is all sufficient to cover all sin for all time.  God makes it clear that sin yields death and the people must either accept a substitute or bear the penalty themselves. 

Scapegoat

The sins of the people were placed on the scapegoat who would wander the wilderness. Sin leaves us lost and separated from God. Jesus bore our sin and suffered that penalty of separation so that we could know the joy if fellowship with God. On earth that fellowship is but a shadow of the fellowship that we will have in eternity - the same fellowship Adam enjoyed before sin entered. 

Atonement has been made for the people. We can be proclaimed clean from all our sins. As the priest sacrificed for the sins of the people, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice sufficient for big sinners like me and sufficient for you too. 

No matter how successful we may be, if we are not reconciled with God and accept the substitutionary sacrifice offered for our sins we are without hope. Praise God we can enjoy peace with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.