My Sin, Your Sin

Leviticus 4-6

The Levitical concept of sin was markedly different from modern concepts of sin. Today there are those who claim innocence based on the fact that "everyone's doing it", but under Levitical law, that would classify it as a community sin that must be atoned for. Others would claim that "might makes right", but under Levitical law, that would classify it as a sin of the high priest or leader and the entire body would be held accountable unless it was atoned for. Being a stool pigeon is regarded in many circles as the lowest form of scum, but under Levitical law, failing to testify was as wrong as the sinful act being concealed. The Levitical law demanded that accidental sin and unknowingly sinning was just as wrong and must be atoned for.

The scriptural concept of sin is a literal "missing the mark." Growing up, we often used the phase "close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes" when someone claimed that they had gotten close enough. In any discussion about sin, that old saying holds true, close enough is not good enough, it is still missing the mark. God was trying to move the Israelites in a different direction than everyone else. He set them apart... he made them holy... and yet, he knew they wouldn't stay that way. We always miss the mark and we need help... we need a Savior. Thank you Jesus, for showing the way.