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REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is “Ceremonial law – The smell of forgiveness”. The ceremonial law is that which prescribes rites and orders in the outward worship of God. Forgiveness is when God removes our sins and restores us. The theme can be rephrased as following the prescribed law of worship to seek the atonement of one’s sins. We shall reflect on the fact that the smell or assurance of forgiveness comes from a non-defective or blameless burnt offering to God.

Beloved in the Lord, the ceremonial law concerning burnt offering for the atonement of sin states that the animal must be a male without any bodily defect, “If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect…“‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, from either the sheep or the goats, you are to offer a male without defect… “‘If the offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, you are to offer a dove or a young pigeon. Leviticus 1:3, 10, 14). The differences in the animals used for the burnt offering also indicate the differences in the social status and class of the worshippers. Provision is made for both the rich and poor to be able to present a burnt offering for the atonement of their sins. So long as the offering is done from a sincere and repentant heart and without a defective animal we are told that “It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.” Leviticus 1:9,13,17)

Dear friend in Christ, under the New Covenant and according to John 3:16, God has graciously provided the burnt offering in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. This burnt offering provides an everlasting smell of forgiveness made available to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews further explained that “First he (Jesus) said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” —though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First, he says: ¹⁶ “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” ¹⁷ Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” ¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. Hebrews 10:8-10,14-18). In other words, Jesus graciously brought an end to the endless sacrifices of burnt offerings. For us to benefit from the burnt offering of Jesus Christ and the smell of His forgiveness, we must repent from a sincere heart! It is for this reason John admonished us, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)

Belove in the Lord, to demonstrate that we have truly been forgiven and purified through Jesus’ burnt offering on the cross, Paul greatly admonishes us in Romans 12: 1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2). We have been forgiven and made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus therefore we have become living, holy and pleasing sacrifice, smell or aroma to God. This is our new nature in Christ and we must guard it jealously the the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We must never go back to our old way of life thereby making nonsense of God’s love and grace through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must sustain our status as living, holy and pleasing sacrifice to God through prayer, obedience to God’s word and reflecting the perfect image of Jesus Christ in the world.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Ceremonial law – the smell of forgiveness” We have discovered that the smell or assurance of forgiveness comes from a non-defective or blameless burnt offering. God provided the non-defective or blameless offering in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The burnt offering of Jesus Christ has the everlasting smell of forgiveness for all who will repent from a sincere heart and offer themselves as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. Shalom.

PRAYER
Gracious God, we thank you for saving us through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, we completely surrender ourselves to you as unworthy servants. Cleanse us through your Holy sacrifice so that we will continue to experience your smell of forgiveness and regeneration in our lives. We surrender ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God through Your ultimate and everlasting sacrifice of atonement. Amen.