Scapegoat

Such was God's original love for man that He was willing to stoop to any sacrifice to save him; and the gift of a Saviour was the mere expression of that love.  Albert Barnes

The term "scapegoat" is of ancient Hebrew origins and it usually refers to someone who is unfairly punished or denounced for the errors and shortcomings of others. The term refers to a practice where Aaron brought two goats and lots would be cast for each goat.  One goat was for the Lord and another for the scapegoat.  The first goat would be given as a sin offering to the Lord.  The second goat or scapegoat would be brought live before the Lord and would be used as atonement for the people’s sin.  The goat would then be sent out into the wilderness carrying the people’s sin with it. 

If you have a hard time imagining the kind of love God has for us, we need look no further than Jesus.  The reality is Jesus was our scapegoat.  He was a sacrifice for the atonement of our sins.  That was an extreme price to pay for an unthankful people.  Instead of using an animal for the sacrifice, Jesus took its place.  The thing about this is Jesus didn’t just get to run into the wilderness carrying our sins with Him.  He died as a sacrifice to save you and me. 

How many of us would give our life for someone else?  We might do it for a family member, but how many of us would give our life for people we don’t know or who weren’t even born yet? And how many of us would give our life, knowing that some of those very people you were giving your life for would deny you and ridicule you. How many of us would pray to God that He forgive them for they know not what they do?

When we decide to accept Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, we need to remember the amazing sacrifice that occurred when He hung on a cross as atonement for our sin.  

   

Prayer for the Day: Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I am in awe of Your sacrifice for a lowly sinner like me.  I will never deserve Your sacrifice, but I am forever grateful for it.  I praise You and give thanks to God for providing me a way back to Him through You.  Forgive me for the times I have disgraced and failed You.

 

Scripture: “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness. Leviticus 16:6-10