The Blood that Speaks

Reading: Leviticus 16:1-22; Hebrews 9:22

Devotional: Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. God established this principle through Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Two goats: one sacrificed to satisfy God's wrath (propitiation), one sent away bearing the people's sins (atonement). This was always a shadow pointing to Jesus, who became both sacrifice and scapegoat. On Good Friday, His blood satisfied divine justice while His body carried our sins away forever, as far as the east is from the west. We often want mercy without cost, grace without sacrifice. But the cross declares that it cost everything. Jesus absorbed the full fury of God's stored-up wrath against our sin. His blood speaks better than Abel's; it doesn't cry for vengeance but proclaims "paid in full." Let this reality move you from casual appreciation to overwhelming gratitude.

Reflection Question: The sermon encouraged us to not rush past Good Friday to get to Easter Sunday. How can you intentionally pause this week to reflect on the weight of what Christ's sacrifice cost Him?