Read all or portions of Leviticus 11-15, 18-20
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’” (Leviticus 19:2)
“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)
One of the greatest criticisms of religion, Christianity included, is that it can sometimes feel like a list of dos and don’ts. Most people want something beyond just being told what they should and should not do. Another great critique of religion arises from the hypocrisy evident in those who fail to live in line with their faith’s teachings. Most people long to see someone live in a way that reflects the deepest meaning of life and faith, which is why we admire someone like Mother Teresa who served those in need in Calcutta, India.
Some set aside the book of Leviticus because, just like that first critique, it can look like a sort of behavioral checklist. This is heightened by how some of the guidelines feel out of date or culturally distant. And yet, Leviticus is shot through with a sense of the high calling of God’s people in everyday of life. Each aspect of life is seen as something potentially holy and, because of this, everything made by God can be lived for or given back to God meaningfully. In a sense, Leviticus describes what it looks like to live in a way that reflects the deepest meaning of life and faith in God. But at the same time, Leviticus admits the reality that we often falter. None of us lives perfectly, which is why so much space in Leviticus is given to offerings that atone for our sins.
In His incarnation, Jesus does something we cannot do. On the one hand, Jesus goes beyond mere moral checklists to show us every aspect of life can be lived in relationship with God. And at the same time, in a way we cannot do, Jesus displays a life lived perfectly obedient to God. In light of Leviticus we see Jesus as the only fully holy and completely obedient One.
For reflection:
Each Sunday we include discussion questions on the sermon insert that can be used for deeper reflection and/or small group discussions. Take time to read through those questions today. You can find a digital version online at eastbrook.org/Leviticus.
by Pastor Matt Erickson
Week 4 Family Talk
Have you ever been playing outside having so much fun and didn’t realize how dirty you got? You get home and your mom says she doesn’t want you to come in and get her clean house dirty. Now, there is nothing wrong with playing hard and getting dirty, but a consequence of playing in a world of dirt is that you can easily get dirt on yourself without realizing it. She isn’t going to keep you out of the house forever, it just means that you need to clean off before coming inside.
In Leviticus 11, God gave His people specific instructions for how they were to live. These laws covered everything from what animals they could eat to how they were to care for their bodies and relationships. The law revealed God’s holiness and the need for His people to live in a way that reflected His purity. God’s laws were not just rules; they were the path to holiness. While we no longer have these specific ceremonial laws, they reveal the character of God and His desire for His people to live holy, set-apart lives. Jesus, in His obedience to the law, showed us the importance of living a life that reflects God’s holiness. We are called to honor God by living according to His principles, loving Him and others.
In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus tells us He came not to get rid of the law but to fulfill it. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law in a way no one else could. While we all fall short, Jesus’ obedience to every command, from His birth to death, was flawless. Jesus’ perfect obedience shows us that it is not just about following the law, but about a heart that desires to please God. Jesus teaches us that true obedience goes beyond following rules—it’s about loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40). Jesus perfectly modeled this love through His life and death. His obedience transformed the way we understand what it means to follow God’s law. Loving God and loving others are the essence of the law. As followers of Jesus, our obedience is motivated by love, not just duty.
Let’s Talk!
- Why do you think God gave the Israelites so many rules in Leviticus? How did those rules help them live holy lives? Why is Jesus the best high priest?
- In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus’ strength to live in obedience?
A Step Further: Interactive Prayer
This week, notice all the times you are wiping something away, like sweeping the floor, washing a cup, erasing your mistakes on homework. When you do this, pause for a moment, and thank God for wiping away your sin and giving you a fresh start.
by Laura Brunner
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