February 17, 2023
“Suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin” (Leviticus 5:17 NLT). Centuries before Roman law declared, “Ignorantia juris non excusat” (Ignorance of the law excuses not), God gave the same to Moses. The
February 17, 2017
Centuries before Roman law declared, “Ignorantia juris non excusat” (Ignorance of the law excuses not), God gave the same to Moses. The number and detail of levitical law is overwhelming to read and no doubt, even more overwhelming to keep. A careful numbering of levitical law brings the total to 613 commandments (248 positive “i.e. “Remember the Sabbath” + 365 negative “i.e. Thou shalt not kill”). The majority of the commands (603) were given to further describe the keeping of the Decalogue (10 commandments). Yet, Jesus was able to summarize the whole into one word, namely, love: “Love God, love others as yourself” (Matt. 22:36-40).
Whether it’s one, two, ten or 613, the Bible says that none of us can keep the law without sin (Rom. 3:23). Claiming ignorance of God’s law does not excuse us. Only an appropriate sacrifice will satisfy. Thankfully, the complex law and sacrificial system were satisfied in one person, Jesus Christ. He has kept the law and offered Himself as the unblemished sacrifice for our sin, both those we committed knowingly and unknowingly. He bore our sin and guilt that we might receive His righteousness!
February 17, 2015
The Mosaic sacrificial system was very specific and demanding, yet it revealed our desperate need for a Savior that could set us free not only from sin’s penalty, but from sin’s power over us. Yet, the principles revealed in the old system for receiving forgiveness are still true. We still must admit our sin, confessing it specifically to God. Then, we must trust in Christ as our ultimate, once-for-all, sufficient “trespass offering” to God for the forgiveness of our sins. Under the Old Testament sacrificial system, our sin offerings would never be enough. The work of sacrifice would never finish. But Christ finished it. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old. Have you confessed your sin and placed your trust in the sacrifice of Christ as payment?