The previous blog we looked at what missing the mark means and how sin separates us from God and others and how sin brings death. The question we ended with was, "so what can we do about it."
As we approach Easter this weekend, we approach more than a yearly holiday or Christian custom, we approach a reality that offers true hope and forgiveness. In order to truly appreciate what Christ has done we must go back to learn the history of forgiveness.
Romans 5:14 connects with Genesis 3 and reiterates the time and place when "missing the mark" (sin) entered the world. Once sin entered the world the separation and death we talked about began to happen. Because God is so holy and so loving He developed a way for people to have their sins atoned for. Atonement means appease or satisfied.
There were lot of sacrifices and rules that required the bloodshed of animals (remember sin brings death). However, Leviticus 16 reveals to us the concept of the "scapegoat." The priests would lay their hands on the head of the goat and confess and pray for all the sins of the people. After they had prayed they would then send that goat away into the wilderness never to be seen again. The sins of the people were "transferred" onto the goat and he left the camp into the wilderness.
Sacrifices were made daily and the scapegoat and "Atonement", repentance of the people's sins happened once a year. This was a constant reminder of their sin and that they could never measure up. It was a constant reminder that sin separates and sin brings death. It was a vivid picture of the result of mankind going its own way and missing the mark.
Check out the next blog as we see the amazing and exciting reality of how Jesus became our eternal scapegoat and paid the ultimate price!!! Easter Sunday is so significant!
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