Who’s to blame?
This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Scapegoat! (WATCH HERE)
Leviticus 16:21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head.
A scapegoat by definition is one who is made to bear the blame of others. The word is used regularly in our English language and we ourselves have probably experienced a scapegoat or been one ourselves. Whenever someone is blamed for something they didn’t do and treated as the guilty one even though they are not, they are a scapegoat. A scapegoat can be the kid in class that gets blamed and punished for the unruly behavior of others in the class. A scapegoat can be the person who gets fired for the failure of the whole team. Situations come up that from the outside looking in, someone needs to get punished, but no one knows who and so someone is picked and treated as the guilty one.
If this has happened to you, it stinks to be the scapegoat.
Yet we can find it very easy to want a scapegoat or make something or someone else the scapegoat for us. Every time we blame someone or something else for wrong we do, we are really trying to find a legitimate scapegoat.
We are uncomfortable with sin and the guilt it creates. We want to get rid of it because we don’t want to deal with it or feel it. So what is our answer? We blame someone.
This tactic really started in the Garden of Eden when God approached Adam for eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam responded, (Genesis 3:12) “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Adam didn’t want to admit he was at fault too. He was looking for somewhere to transfer his guilt and appropriately blame for his sinful behavior. Eve was no different. When God approached her, she said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” In other words, “the devil made me do it.”
Taking personal responsibility for our sins is so hard. The natural response is to blame Satan or blame someone else. I suppose one could minimize the seriousness of their sin also, but the goal is to get rid of the sin and the guilt it creates.
So do these tactics work? Does it work to blame someone else and claim to be the victim of someone else’s behavior? Perhaps for a very short time, but the reality nags at your heart because deep inside, you know that blaming someone else doesn’t really get rid of the issue.
That’s where Jesus as our Scapegoat comes in.
In fact, we don’t have to sneak our sins onto Jesus or forcefully put them on him, the Lord himself lays on him the sins of us all. The Lord himself is willing to take our sins and transfer them to Jesus.
Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
The impact of this is profound. When we blame someone else, we know we still did something wrong. When we minimize sin, we know we are fooling ourselves. When we blame the devil, we know it really is our fault. However, when our sin is placed on Jesus, guilt is gone. The sin is not coming back because it is fully given over to Jesus to pay for. Our blaming is a pseudo transfer. We just think the sin is gone, but it really isn’t. When the Lord lays our sin on Jesus, it is gone from us onto him.
So forget the blame games and pseudo solutions for guilt. The only place where sin can be placed for a true solution is on our scapegoat, Jesus Christ.
Apply: What sin have you blamed someone else for and never really owned or confessed. Stop blaming someone else and place it on Jesus and let him carry it away!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace that takes our sin and lays them on Jesus. Jesus thank you for being willing to be my Scapegoat and take the blame and punishment for my sins. AMEN.
Leviticus…worth looking at?
This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Scapegoat! (WATCH HERE)
This past January, I hosted our area pastors for our monthly study club. The topic was a look at Leviticus. Perhaps like many, when the book of Leviticus is mentioned as a point of study, it initially wasn’t one that made me super excited. If you have ever spent time in the book of Leviticus, it is a tough slug to sort through the different festivals, sacrifices that were to be made and the rationale for the various sacrifices. To be honest, I just haven’t spent a lot of time in the book. But, as we know, every part of God’s word is useful to us…so it is with Leviticus.
By time we were done listening to the presentation on Leviticus, I realized there are treasures of truth that are there to be mined and enjoyed. As he always does, God has a purpose in doing what does and saying what he does.
Perhaps I’d summarize my take-aways in this way. First God is holy. He is perfect, powerful and set apart. Second, sin is serious. Sin separates us from God and from each other. Sin breaks our relationship with God and with sin as a reality, we are unable to stand in the presence of God. Third, God provides a way to restore what is broken. Many of the sacrifices were given as a mechanism to restore what was broken, either between individuals or between God and individuals. And fourth, God desires his people to live holy lives, separate and distinct from the rest of the world.
So why do I say this? We are not embarking on a study of Leviticus, although maybe we should, but we are looking this week at the shadow of Jesus pictured as a scapegoat which is found in Leviticus chapter 16 as part of the ritual for the Day of Atonement. This once-a-year celebration was a cornerstone of all God was doing for his people in their worship life. It highlighted his holiness, it reminded of the seriousness of sin, it provided a solution for sin and a reason to rejoice and live as a holy child of God.
As the Lord wrapped up his description of all the events of the Day of Atonement, he said this:
Leviticus 16:29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. 32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the community.
34 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.”
Really the whole day and all the rituals involved were glimpses of Jesus and what he would do to atone for the sins of the world, once for all.
Hebrews 9:11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not 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. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing all things so I might stand as holy in your presence. AMEN.
Look up!
This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Snake! (WATCH HERE)
John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
You had to wait all week, but finally Matthew records the “Son of Man being lifted up” on a cross. The sight wasn’t pleasant, but the effects were profound. This isn’t just an event in history, it is the Savior that was pictured by Moses, fulfilled by Christ, and real for you. “EVERYONE who believes in him may have eternal life.”
Matthew 27:32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
John 19:38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Notice who was there at the cross of Jesus…Nicodemus. The very one to whom Jesus said,
“John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life,” just had witnessed the Son of Man lifted up and looked to him in faith. The one he buried was the one who would give him eternal life.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for being lifted up on the cross for me. AMEN.
Going as planned?
This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Snake! (WATCH HERE)
John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
The trial of Jesus may seem like a dishonest kangaroo court. The verdict was determined before he was even on trial. But before we begin to believe that Jesus was the victim of a chaotic, dishonest, Jewish and Roman legal system. Remember what Jesus said to Nicodemus years before the event…”the Son of Man MUST be lifted up.” Everything was going as planned.
Matthew 27:11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, a simple thank you is not enough to express the gratitude I feel for all you endured for me. AMEN.
Don’t fail to look up!
This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Snake! (WATCH HERE)
John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
Jesus was willing to be lifted up on the cross…even for people like Judas who betrayed him. Unfortunately, Judas never looked up in faith, but looked to himself and down in despair. God’s love was for him too…but he seems to have missed out on it. What a great reminder that the sting of sin is great, but the saving love of Jesus is greater. Look in faith to him…for eternal life!
Matthew 27:1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Prayer: Lord forgive me for the times I have doubted, denied, and disowned you. When confronted with my sin, lead me to always look up to you for forgiveness and grace. AMEN.