May 9

LEVITICUS SERMON 3

The Day of Atonement - Leviticus 16

An article from the South China Morning Post two weeks ago, April 29^th, had a fascinating story. And one that raises some big questions.

Two reporters say they've tracked down the former head of the Khmer Rouge security service in Cambodia. Who in the 1970s ordered the torture and killing of at least 14000 Cambodian men, women and children.

Not a real surprise. They tracked down Pol Pot, who died a few months back. But here's the catch. The chief of the security service who they've found now, his name's DOOK - and he's been found living in Western Cambodia as a BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN. Which is the bit that made the HEADLINES.

Dook disappeared when the Khmer Rouge fell in 1979 and was presumed dead. But apparently, he'd become a Christian, and was working until late last year with an international aid organisation. Who didn't know who he was.

Now he's 56. And the told the reporters who tracked him down that he was deeply sorry for the killings - and was willing to face an international tribunal. In their report they said it was unusual to find such GENUINE REMORSE.

But let me ask you this morning, if Dook really is a CHRISTIAN, if he really is REMORSEFUL, is that enough? Are you comfortable… sharing heaven with a man who's killed 14,000 people. Including defenseless women and kids. Whose skills as an organiser meant organising MASS EXECUTIONS. I mean, how, why, how can it possibly be fair for a man like that… to be heading for heaven. Forgiven?

And do you reckon a MASS MURDERER like that stands any chance at all of being FORGIVEN BY GOD? Because it’s a big ask, isn’t it?

It reminded me of another story in the news last year. A convicted serial killer, Charles Sobraj, he'd served his time. And after his release, he was photographed in a Cathedral in France, praying. And the newspaper article asked the question, can a man like that… expect to find forgivenes. And the verdict, according to the Sydney Daily Telegraph… and these are the words in the two inch high headline… NOT A PRAYER. Not a snowflakes chance in hell. That GOD WOULD FORGIVE… a man like that.

Ordinary sinners maybe. Adulterers. Liars. No problem. People like us, we can expect to be forgiven. But if you’re a serial killer, FORGET IT. Sorry Charles… you’re out of luck. And DOOK? Even worse.

Well, that’s God’s forgiveness according to the newspapers. What about God’s forgiveness according to GOD?

Because the WHO AND WHAT of God’s forgiveness is something that the bible spells out very clearly.

And I want to start with you at the DAY OF ATONEMENT. One of the most important events on the Jewish Calendar. Which Jews all around the world will celebrate on September 30^th. As they have EVERY YEAR. Over and over again. For thousands of years.

It all starts in Leviticus 16; the passage we read earlier. And if we start near the end of the chapter, verse 29, you can see that the Day of Atonement was meant to be a LASTING ORDINANCE. It was always DESIGNED to be a year after year thing. The tenth day of the seventh month of their calendar; put down their tools, deny themselves; because, verse 30 says, on this day, ATONEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR YOU. To cleanse you " Here’s the key to what it’s all about… Keep reading verse 30. It says, "Then, before the Lord, you will be CLEAN FROM ALL YOUR SINS." All of them.

That’s what ATONEMENT means. It’s not a word we use much these days. But when we do use it, TO MAKE ATONEMENT means to MAKE UP FOR SOMETHING YOU’VE DONE WRONG. I can actually still remember the last time I heard someone use the word on TV. It doesn’t happen very often. But it was during a footie match, back in the days when Mal Meninga was still playing for Canberra. And as I recall, he was kicking for a conversion. Easy points, right in front of the posts. And the kick was an absolute dud. At a point in the game where Canberra really could have used it. And so Mal was hanging his head in shame.

And then five minutes later, he intercepts a pass, and he runs like the wind. And scores a beautiful try. At which point RAY WARREN who’s the commentator says, Mal has MADE ATONEMENT for that TERRIBLE KICK. He’s made up for it. He’s squared the balance. Whatever he’s done wrong, it’s been PAID FOR.

This is Israel’s DAY OF ATONEMENT. The Day when wrongs are put right. This is the day when the balance is squared. This is the day when SINS… are atoned for. The day where, if you look at verse 30 again, where atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you; so you’ll be CLEAN before the Holy God of Israel. Clean from all your sins.

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT IN SUMMARY

Okay, so let’s go back to the start of the chapter and have a look at what happens in Ancient Israel; here’s where it’s all spelt out. What’s going to happen every year, on the day of atonement.

The way Leviticus chapter 16 works is that first of all you get a summary of what’s got to happen in verse 1 to 10. Then you get it again, with more detail. Step by step.

But the first thing I want you to notice is the way the chapter starts out. Verse 1, there’s a reminder of something that happened back in chapter 10. When you might remember, two of the sons of Aaron, after God’s given the exact details of how he wants to be approached; they decide to improvise. Do it their way. And they decide they’ll just wander into the holy tent with a bit of incense and wave it around. Just to see what happens. And what happens is, they're struck dead.

And so in verse 1, we’re told that the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the Lord. Who died when they took liberties with the Holy God of Israel. And verse 2, the Lord says to Moses, tell your brother Aaron NOT TO COME WHENEVER HE CHOOSES into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark… or else he’ll die. Because I APPEAR IN THE CLOUD above the atonement cover."

The way the tabernacle was set out, the tent that was sort of like the Israelite’s portable temple, there's a big open outer courtyard, with an altar for the burnt offerings. Then there's a tent with a table; and a lampstand. And another altar. And then there's a CURTAIN. Which leads into a little room 5 metres by 5; where they kept the ark of the covenant. The golden box; with the stone tablets inside it engraved with the laws God gave Moses. And that little room behind the curtain is called THE MOST HOLY PLACE. Where God chose to show his PRESENCE as a glowing cloud just above the lid of the Ark of the Covenant.

The outer courtyard. Where anyone could come. The Holy Place. The first section. Where the priests could go. And then the HOLY OF HOLIES. The Most Holy Place. Behind the woven curtain. Where to enter. Meant death.

That’s what God says. Tell Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonment cover on the ark. Or HE’LL DIE.

We’ve seen over the last few weeks, haven’t we; how God is showing the people of Israel that HE IS HOLY. How he’s showing them with the system of clean and unclean things that the UNCLEANESS OF SIN… can’t come into contact with the HOLINESS OF GOD.

And Aaron has to remember that.

Except in verse 3, God says, THERE IS A WAY. Don’t come through the curtain or you’ll die. Except if you do it this way.

This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area. And only this way. With a YOUNG BULL for a sin offering. And a ram for a burnt offering.

And verse 4, once a year, when he’s going to come into the presence of God, the high priest has got to get rid of all the important royal looking priest robes he usually wears. Wash himself. And just wear white linen. And he takes a bull for himself, and two goats and a ram from the people. And he’s ready to go.

Verse 6 and 7, first thing he's got to do is offer the bull for his OWN sin offering. And the ram for a burnt offering. And verse 7, he’s got to take the two goats. And present them at the front of the tent. And he’s got to cast lots. One goat is the sin offering for the people. The other one becomes the SCAPEGOAT. That’s going to be sent into the desert; to be lost forever in the wilderness.

Now from verse 11 we get the instructions in detail. And what I want you to do as we read it is to imagine… not to image that you’re the high priest. But that you’re an ordinary Israelite. Having ATONEMENT MADE FOR YOU. As all this is going on, on your behalf. For YOU.

You’re watching from outside the tent. Standing in the hot sun with all the rest of the Israelites. And Aaron your high priest brings the bull. An offering for his OWN SIN. Because everyone knows, even though he’s the high priest – he’s SINFUL. Just like everyone else. And he kills it. With a knife in the throat. To make atonement from himself and his household.

And then there’s a hush. As verse 12 says he takes a censer full of burning coals and puts in two handfuls of finely ground incense. And you can smell the sweet smell of the smoke. And he steps forward. And in one hand he’s got some blood from the bull on his fingers. The other hand, the incense; and you're holding your breath as he steps through the forbidden curtain. Into the Most Holy Place. The verse 13 says the smoke from the incense hides the ATONEMENT COVER; the lid of the box with the commandments in it. And because the smoke from the incense hides the atonement cover, he’s safe. While with his finger, verse 14 says he sprinkles the blood from the bull.

And then he’s out again. And everyone heaves a sigh of relief. Then verse 15, it says he takes the goat that’s chosen to be killed. And he slaughters it as the sin offering for the people. For you. And he does the same thing again. Behind the curtain. And sprinkles the blood of the sacrifice on the atonement cover, and in front of it. Which verse 16 says is making atonement for the Most Holy Place, because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, WHATEVER THEIR SINS HAVE BEEN. Their sin, it’s like it pollutes everything they come near. And so atonement is made for the holy place. And the Tent of meeting as well. And everyone has to stand back, stay outside, while Aaron makes atonement for himself, for his household, and for the whole community.

Then the same again for the altar outside. Verse 18 and 19. Consecrated – from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

I wonder how you’d feel if you were an Israelite. Being constantly reminded like this that you’re DIRTY. That you’re SINFUL in the face of a Holy God? Everything you touch, it has to be disinfected. Atoned for. But I guess the GOOD NEWS IS, you CAN BE atoned for, whatever your sins. By the right sacrifices, carried out the right way… by the High Priest.

I want you to notice the last part of the ritual. Because it says something important. It’s a picture of the RESULTS. Of what happens when ATONEMENT has been made.

There’s the second goat. The one chosen by drawing lots. One was sacrificed. And you’ll remember from verse 10, the other one is called the SCAPEGOAT. And here’s where the term comes from that we still use today. The scapegoat hasn’t done anything wrong at all. But he’s going to COP THE LOT. And be a symbol of what ATONEMENT achieves.

Verse 21. When Aaron’s finished sprinkling blood everywhere, he brings forward the live goat. And he lays both his hands on its head. And he confesses over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites. All their sins. And puts them on the goats head. The scapegoat takes their sin; takes their guilt.

And then they pick a guy from the crowd. And they say, take the goat out to the desert. As far away as you can. And leave it there.

And verse 22 says, the goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place – and the man lets it go in the desert.

And then everyone gets washed. Changes their clothes. Burn the leftover bits of animal outside the camp. And it’s over for another year. The sins of Israel… paid for. Atoned. Until same time next year. When the same ritual will be done in the same way. Over and over again. And once a year, the people of Israel, through their high priest, can come into the presence of the Holiness of God. And know that their sins are forgiven. And carried away to a far off place. Not because of what they’ve done. But because of the sacrifice that took their place. And the high priest. Who did everything that needed to be done.

Now let’s ask the usual question. We’ve read what the Jews did. Nearly 4,000 years ago. So what’s the DAY OF ATONEMENT got to do with us today? And if you’ve been here the last few weeks the answer should be starting to sound a bit familiar.

Will you start with me by turning to Mark’s gospel. Mark 15; verse 38.

The way the tabernacle was laid out, their portable temple, with the curtain that closed off the most holy place; it was exactly the way their temple was laid out when it was built hundreds of years later. Same rules. No one can go through the curtain into the presence of God. Except the High Priest. Once a year. And only then with exactly the right sacrifice for sins.

Can I ask you, what do you think’s happening here in Mark 15 verse 38? Here’s the scene. Jesus Christ, the perfect son of God; he’s hanging on a Roman cross, being put to death as a criminal. Even though he’d lived a perfect life. And just as Jesus gives his final cry and breathes his last, what happens? Verse 38; the curtain of the temple is TORN IN TWO… from TOP TO BOTTOM. And the way into the most holy place is thrown open. For anyone who wants to come. The way into the PRESENCE OF GOD… no longer barred. Because at the cross, the PERFECT ATONEMENT is being made. The PERFECT SACRIFICE. The sacrifice to end all sacrifices. The Day of Atonement to END ALL DAYS OF ATONEMENT. One final, perfect sacrifice. THE CURTAIN to the MOST HOLY PLACE… HAS BEEN TORN OPEN. Because no more sacrifices are needed.

Turn over with me to Hebrews chapter 9; a great chapter that picks up the whole idea of the Day of Atonement, and talks about how Jesus has perfectly fulfilled it. And it goes through everything we’ve just seen. The layout of the tabernacle; the first room with the lampstand; the MOST HOLY PLACE. And verse 6 in Hebrews 9 says when everything was arranged just right, the priests would come into the outside room; but ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST entered the INNER ROOM. And only once a year. And never without blood. Just like we saw .

But when CHRIST CAME - pick it up in verse 11 – he went through a greater tabernacle. He didn’t just do it symbolically – he did it for REAL. And verse 12 says, he didn’t enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place ONCE FOR ALL… by his OWN BLOOD, having obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION.

Verse 13 – keep reading. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so they’re OUTWARDLY CLEAN. But this is something better. And it’s the answer to the question we started with. What sort of things in YOUR LIFE can God forgive? How much is he prepared to WIPE AWAY? I mean, what if you’re a mass murderer, and you want to ask GOD’S FORGIVENESS? How can he forgive THAT?

Well, here’s how. Verse 14. How much MORE… how much more then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered HIMSELF… UNBLEMISHED to God… cleanse OUR CONSCIENCE from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.

Will you get this right. Because not many people have. FORGIVENESS IS AVAILABLE. For whatever you've done. And it’s not through somehow ATONING FOR YOURSELF, being hard on yourself, punishing yourself. FORGIVENESS IS AVAILABLE… in a way that’s pretty much the same as it was for an ordinary Israelite. Except much better.

And that is, come to your High Priest. JESUS. And stand back while he makes the PERFECT SACRIFICE on your behalf. His own life. A sacrifice that takes YOUR SIN on himself. And pays for it. And wipes it clean. Whoever you are, it’s available. Whatever you’ve done. It’s FREE. And you can walk out of here today with your conscience absolutely clean and clear. ATONED FOR. On that once and for all Day of Atonement on a cross on a hill outside Jerusalem. As the Son of God did all that for you.

Which means we need to put aside any ideas you've got that we can somehow EVEN UP THE SCORE with God on our own. Pay our own way in. Put aside any idea too, that there’s any sort of RITUAL that we need; any sort of mass, any sort of priest. Because all of that’s finished. Completed. By the PERFECT PRIEST. With the PERFECT SACRIFICE. And doesn’t need doing again.

What you DO NEED TO DO… whether you’re a mass killer or just a plain old ordinary person… is TURN TO JESUS. And trust him. As the one who has opened the way to our Holy God FOR YOU. See, if you have trouble coming to terms with the fact that a man like DOOK can be forgiven by God, let me ask you, HOW BIG IS YOUR CROSS?

Dook's crimes are huge. Yours might be too. And to make atonement for huge crimes takes a huge sacrifice. Not a sheep. Not even 2 sheep. Or two hundred sheep. But the perfect life of the perfect man. The perfect SON OF GOD. The perfect priest. The perfect sacrifice. Given for Dook. The mass killer who turned to Jesus. Given for YOU. When you turn to Jesus too.