Reconciled
Read This Week: Leviticus 16
When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 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. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. – Leviticus 16:20-21 NIV
Leviticus 16 stands as one of the most solemn and significant chapters in this book and perhaps in all of the Torah. It describes the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, a sacred annual time of worship for Israel to be cleansed of sin and restored to right standing before God. While the chapter is rich with ceremonial details, including the high priest’s attire, blood sacrifices, and the scapegoat ritual, it is not just ancient liturgy and worship. It offers deep insights about holiness, human brokenness, reconciliation, and the mercy of God.
At its core, the chapter reminds us that sin is not just a private matter; it has consequences and holds spiritual weight in the community. The elaborate practices point us, once again, to the seriousness of sin and the need for deliberate, God-guided reconciliation. In modern terms, this challenges the casual way we sometimes approach personal shortcomings or failures. Just as the high priest needed to prepare himself before entering the Most Holy Place, we are called to a greater responsibility to draw near to God, which requires repentance, humility, and a willingness to deal with our brokenness and the messiness of our hearts and inner lives.
A powerful and stark image in this section is the scapegoat, a living symbol of sin being removed from the people and sent away into the wilderness. This act didn’t just purify the people; it visibly portrayed the Lord’s forgiveness. Today, we often carry guilt long after it’s been confessed, forgetting the freeing grace that is available to us through the cross. The scapegoat reminds us that God not only forgives but chooses to release us from the burden of sin. It’s a call to let go of shame and embrace the new beginning that comes through repentance, mercy, and grace.
It is hopeful to see the foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Christ in Leviticus 16, who became both our High Priest and our atoning sacrifice (Heb. 9–10) for sin. In addition to pointing toward the Gospel, the principles of intentional reflection, accountability, and deep reverence for restoration to God and others have profound implications for spiritual growth and health within ourselves, our relationships, circles of influence, and the family of God. In a world that prizes speed and self-reliance, the Day of Atonement invites us to slow down, examine our hearts, confess what’s hidden, and seek reconciliation with both God and one another.
In practical terms, this week’s study of Leviticus encourages us to create rhythms of spiritual discipline in our own lives. Whether through reading God’s word, true confession, dedicated times of prayer, or fasting, we benefit from intentionally acknowledging where we’ve missed the mark and where we need restoration. It teaches us that grace is not cheap, and healing and being reconciled are not accidental; it is to be pursued with sincerity and obedience. We may no longer officially practice The Day of Atonement as it was, but forgiveness, cleansing, reparation, and renewal remain timeless.
This is what I got from God in Leviticus 16. In Jesus’ name you can approach Me with boldness. Christ is your daily advocate in My throne room. Pray daily. Jesus is the only mediator between you and I. Read the word daily for Me to light the path for your feet. Lead a humble life. Clothe yourself in Christ’s righteousness. Submit to His will, and give Him all the glory for all your accomplishments. Offer your prayers as a “sweet aroma” to Me. They should be filled with gratitude and praise. Pray in faith for our nation. Pray for the cleansing and purity of the church. The power of prayer in Christ’s name is strong. Give the best of your life to Me. Give Christ the best of your time, talent, and treasure.
What this said to me is If I am trying to serve God, I should be led by the Spirit, and not the flesh. I am to pray for the Spirit to guide my every action for God’s glory. I am to deny myself daily, and focus on what is pleasing to God. I want to live the right way. God wants my heart to be for Him.
When’s the last time you atoned for your sin?
When did you make things right with God — got yourself back into good standing, got cleaned up and righteous again?
If you’re trying to think of the answer, let me save you some time: It’s a trick question.
None of us can atone for our own sin.
We can’t clean ourselves up enough.
We can’t sacrifice enough, cry enough, or serve enough to make ourselves right with God.
Only Jesus could do that.
And the good news? He already did.
Once and for all — past, present, and future — Jesus paid the price we never could.
But that doesn’t mean we just sit back and do nothing.
Because while we can’t atone for sin, we can still make things right — in our relationships with God, in the way we talk to Him, and as we work through the process of growing as Christians.
And we can make things right with people — because life is lived in relationship.
It’s so, so important.
We can make restitution where we’ve hurt someone.
We can pursue reconciliation when there’s been distance or damage.
We can seek peace — not to earn God’s love, but to live like we carry it.
I’ve had to do this so many times myself.
And it’s not always easy. It’s humbling. It’s uncomfortable.
But once you go through it — with God — it’s worth it.
Because He uses that process to shape us and reveal who we really are.
As sons and daughters of God, we’re called to show what His grace looks like through our lives:
Making things right. Loving deeply. Extending mercy. Walking in peace. Living with humility. Building unity.
This is what it means to belong to Him.
1. Jesus took the blame — you take the broom.
We’re not trying to pay God back. But when you’ve hurt someone, or said the wrong thing, or created confusion — pick up the phone. Own it. Apologize. You’re not earning forgiveness — you’re reflecting it.
2. Restitution isn’t legalism — it’s leadership.
The world needs more Christians who make things right when they’ve gone wrong. If something was broken, fix it. If someone was shorted, pay them. If someone feels unseen, show up. You’re not “working for grace” — you’re walking in it.
3. Peacemakers don’t wait — they move first.
The High Priest went in first for the people. Jesus came down first for us. So go first. Start the conversation. Don’t wait for them to apologize. If you want peace, make peace. Don’t settle for silence.
Leviticus 16 — God’s Heart His Love Makes a Way
God loves us so much… He makes a way. That’s what I see when I read Leviticus 16. It’s all about His heart—a heart of holiness, yes, but also of mercy, compassion, Love and longing for relationship.
Leviticus 16 outlines the sacred rituals for the Day of Atonement, a day set aside to deal with sin and restore the people’s relationship with God. This chapter doesn’t stand alone—it comes after the call to holy living and after the tragedy of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. Their story reminds us that it’s not just about what we do outwardly
it’s about the heart behind it.
They brought the wrong fire
likely from a source other than the altar God had designated. They entered God’s presence uninvited, disregarding the clear instructions they had been given. And they weren’t strangers… they were Aaron’s sons. They had been trained in the ways of the Lord. They knew better. That’s part of what made their actions so serious.
It wasn’t random guys . It was the decision to come to God on their own terms
to do it their way instead of His. And that’s what breaks God’s heart. He wants relationship, not ritual. He wants surrendered hearts
I can’t even imagine how Aaron must’ve felt
losing both his sons. This wasn’t just about leadership… this was family. But still, Aaron had to keep walking with the Lord, trusting Him, even in the pain. That’s the cost of reverence, and the beauty of choosing God over even our own understanding.
I’m so grateful that today, we have Jesus as our High Priest. He didn’t just bring the offering
He became the offering. He is the reason we don’t have to live trying to earn forgiveness. We live from forgiveness. Jesus already did the work on the cross. And now, He simply invites us to open our hearts to Him.
We are forgiven
not because we did everything right
but because we belong to Him. He loves us. And we love Him
As it says in 1 John 1:9 (AMP):
“If we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just—true to His own nature and promises—and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness…”
That word continually is so beautiful. It means He doesn’t just forgive us once and then leave us to figure things out. He walks with us, loves us, corrects us, and cleanses us again and again. Not because He has to—but because His love never runs out.
That’s the beauty of grace.
We are learning to walk with Him, to talk with Him, to listen and obey… not out of fear, but out of love. He has forgiven us. And as we respond to Him, our hearts grow soft, and our lives begin to reflect His Heart ❤️
The key is to keep walking forward
with a heart open and a spirit willing. This is God’s heart… and in Jesus, He’s made a way.
Thank you Father God for Your Love it’s forever and ever!!
Father God,
We look to You today our Holy, loving, merciful Father. Thank You for making a way for us to walk with You through Jesus, our High Priest. Thank You for loving us so much that You didn’t leave us in our sin, but invited us into relationship, healing, and wholeness.
Lord, we ask You to help us keep our hearts open to You. When we get distracted or discouraged, draw us back to Your presence, help us to be more aware of You more and more!
Teach us how to walk in step with You
moment by moment aware of Your voice, Your love, and Your leading. Help us to know what is good and what is not. Help us to recognize the things that draw us closer to You, and gently turn away from anything that tries to take Your place in our lives.
We also lift up our loved ones to You right now
every mother father, son, daughter, sister, brother, spouse, friend. You know the ones we cry over. The ones we long to see turn around. The ones whose hearts have grown distant. Walked away, or have never responded to You
Lord, we ask for softened hearts and changed lives. Let something shift in them
a holy hunger, a fresh desire or to come back to You. Wake them up to the truth. Let them see Your goodness and want to follow You with all their hearts.
We trust You with them, and we trust You with us. Continue the beautiful work You’ve started in us, and let Your presence go with us as we walk forward today.
In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Leviticus 16
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
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This week I got a song in Leviticus chapter 16
Presence of the Lord
Let’s come together to worship our Lord let’s come together to worship our Lord praising lifting our hands singing we are blessed yes we are blessed by our Lord. His name is powerful. His name is powerful thy grace. We claim Jesus only Jesus for you and me, we are blessed yes blessed with the mercy and grace we receive by our Lord. He is the holy and holies the most powerful on earth and in heaven, we are blessed we live in the presence of the Lord, the presence of the Lord amen
We are it’s truly blessed because we live every day with our Lord, who gives us his love and his grace thank you, God