Introductory Thoughts
Sin demands atonement. This is repeatedly reiterated throughout the Old Testament with phrases such as, “I shall make an atonement for your sin” (Exodus 32:30), and “the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these” (Leviticus 5:13). Interestingly, the word atonement contains its own built-in definition. Atonement, generally speaking, puts God and man at one. When atonement is made, man is “forgiven” (Leviticus 4:20) or “cleansed” (Leviticus 14:31). Things are made right! Atonement is a frequent subject throughout the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, we are told about the finality—“we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:11).
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): In the Old Testament, blood had to be offered yearly for the people's sins (Hebrews 9:6-7; Hebrews 10:1-4). Jesus' blood paid for our sins (Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7). He only had to die once (Hebrews 9:24-28). That is why His atonement is "the" atonement in the New Testament.
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(For everyone): How many times does the word atonement appear in the Old Testament? How many times does it appear in the New Testament? What is the significance of this truth?
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Read Leviticus 17:11. What is it that maketh an atonement for the soul? How was this accomplished by the death of Christ? How does Romans 5:11 prove this fact?
Prayer Thoughts
- Thank the Lord for the atonement received through His Son.
- Ask God to continually show you what Christ has done for you.
Song
ARISE, MY SOUL, ARISE
