Initiation and Hazing

S

(Leviticus 16:30) For on this day shall atonement be made to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins.

O

Here we see God's awareness of the otherwise hidden damages from sin. So people could be absolutely liberated from guilt and hidden shame, God provided this means of mental, emotional, and spiritual relief. He arranged for every citizen to know that every sin of theirs was fully atoned for and that each of them were perfectly clean before God. What an unusually joyful society that must have been!

A

This annual day of atonement was a huge gift from God to people, even though it was overshadowed by the perfection of the cross. to survive and thrive, God knew that people needed to be free from this guilt. How eager God is to be merciful! I am in awe of God's love: He understood and cared and provided when I was still locked in my ignorance, denial, indifference, and rebellion. Wow!

P

Lord, I feel like I won the biggest lottery ever...but far better. The fact that You, the Innocent One, atoned for me, the Guilty One, greatly humbles me. The fact that You, the Great Initiator, the Great Inviter arranged for my acceptance thrills me. I had been the Great Rejecter, but no more! I'm so happy to receive Your grace!