Read Leviticus 6:8-30, Romans 8:1-4.
Have you ever thought about what happens during the worship service at the church you attend? Each element of the service means something and should be designed to draw you into fellowship with God. In reality, worship should begin in the heart of an individual and then extend to all areas of life. Yahweh God gave His servant Moses directions for a system of sacrifices through which the Israelites could demonstrate their worship of God. In the first six chapters of Leviticus, God gave specific instructions for five types of offerings: the burnt offering, the grain offering, the fellowship offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering. Beginning in chapter six, the text speaks to how the priests were to administer the sacrifices. At each point, the priests were required to put a lot of work, effort, and dedication into each activity.
The sacrificial system and the Law that God gave to Moses was limited. Each element worked but had to be done continually. The sacrifices could not change a person’s heart. Something more was needed. The sacrificial system of the Hebrew Scriptures looked forward to the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. His death means that we do not have to offer multiple sacrifices to insure our standing before God. Jesus restored and renewed believers in holiness in our relationship with Him.
This brings up an important question. What do we have to do in order to worship God? Most of the time, we merely have to show up, sing, and listen to the sermon. Do we have it too easy? Perhaps so. It can become routine and commonplace. When we enter our worship services, we should remember what Jesus Christ did for us as sinners in need of a Savior. Thank God for His glorious gift!
Mark Riser - Apologist 