This week’s daily readings:

This week’s devotional:

What is Forgiveness Worth?

by Sue Hersey

Scripture:

They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven.

— Leviticus 4:31 (NIV)

Reflection:

We have read the entire book of Exodus and learned about the awesome rescue of God’s people from slavery in Egypt and some of the trials they endured as they crossed the wilderness to Mount Sinai. There they received God’s law and were able to construct the Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly as instructed. Finally, they had an official location to make sacrifices to God: the altar of burnt offering.

Now, in Leviticus, we learn in great detail about what sacrifices had to be made, and when and how to make them. Here in the Old Testament, people were called to sacrifice animals as a way of expressing devotion to God and to atone for their sin. The animals had to be drawn from their personally owned flocks and herds, and they were not allowed to use injured or defective animals they wouldn’t mind giving up. Only perfect flawless specimens would be accepted! Grain was also a part of altar sacrifices, but again, there were strict rules about the quality of flour that was used and how to prepare it. Moses received numerous instructions about the different types of sacrifices required for different people and occasions. If done exactly right, all these sacrifices were said to be “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” (i.e., something God liked). It was the price of forgiveness for sin.

Try as they may, none of these altar sacrifices truly did the trick, as new sacrifices needed to be made every day. Thankfully, God had a better plan: he willingly sent his own son to die for us—the ultimate sacrifice that really did pay for our sin! All the old regulations could be thrown right out the window because they were replaced by Jesus’ gracious gift to mankind on the cross. As it says in 1 John 2:2, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus himself was the perfect, spotless Lamb that was slain.

If we believe that Christ was indeed the sacrifice God made for our forgiveness, how grateful we should be that the old system is no longer necessary since we are saved by Jesus! If you are truly grateful, the New Testament is full of suggestions (perhaps commandments) on how we should respond to God’s amazing grace. Under this new system, we need to demonstrate true repentance as well as devotion to God with selfless service.

The psalmist David understood the importance of repentance when he wrote in Psalm 51:16-17, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” And note that the Apostle Paul spoke about our obligation to serve in Romans 12:1 when he wrote, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” In today’s world, we’re really only required to sacrifice our own selfish wills to God. Are these things you are willing to do out of gratitude for what God has done?

Prayer:

All-knowing God, how difficult it is for us to grasp just how much we have sinned against you—far more than we can ever realize. Thank you for understanding this and for providing the perfect sacrifice in Jesus Christ! How amazing it is that you would do this for us, a sinful people who don’t really even deserve to be forgiven! Help us to be truly sorry for the terrible things we’ve done and to turn from our ways with the power of your Holy Spirit within us. Show us how we can respond by making meaningful sacrifices of our time, our talents, and our treasure, and let these gifts of ours be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen

Week 13: March 29-April 4, 2026 - What is Forgiveness Worth?

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