And the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed, and he shall be forgiven.

Leviticus 4:35 ESV

Sin is violent.

Sin is an act of treason against the Most High, and throughout the Bible, it is treated as the abomination that it is. Our sin is blatant opposition to the sovereign Lord of the universe. It is an offense against the eternal God; therefore, its consequences must bear an eternal weight.

Sin is a deathly serious topic.

The sacrificial system of the Old Testament served as a constant reminder of the violent nature of sin. And the slaughter was gruesome.

Blood splattered across the altar.

Entrails were removed.

Creatures dismembered.

Sin is a brutal offense to God, and His wrath merits justice.

Unfortunately, an animal’s life is not equal to the life of a human; thus, even when constantly sacrificed, the blood of animals could never cleanse sin. It could not atone for the wickedness of humanity. Something greater than humanity was required.

This is the beauty of the gospel.

Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, clothed Himself in humanity and died as an atonement for sin.

Some ponder how Jesus alone could atone for the sins of many. How could one man die for all? Jesus, however, is worth more than all men. The sacrifice of Christ was the death and resurrection of God on behalf of His creations.

So great was the impossibility of our salvation that only God Himself could achieve it.

And to the praise of His glorious grace, He has!