Bible Reading
Leviticus 16 “The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD and died, and the LORD said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on. And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the LORD and use it as a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.”
[32:14]Hebrews 10:1-10 “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'' When he said above, 'You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings' (these are offered according to the law), then he added, 'Behold, I have come to do your will.' He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
[37:16]Colossians 1:19-20 “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
[40:27]Observation questions
- In Leviticus 16, what different roles do the two goats serve, and what happens to the people’s sins in this ritual? [33:36]
- How does the picture of smog help explain why the Day of Atonement involves cleansing the holy place, not just dealing with individual wrongdoing? [28:53]
- In Hebrews 10:1–10, what contrasts appear between the repeated animal sacrifices and Jesus’ offering of himself? [38:02]
- In Colossians 1:19–20, what is the scope of God’s reconciliation, and how does Christ bring peace? [41:20]
Interpretation questions
- What difference does it make to understand atonement as cleansing and removing sin rather than simply hiding it? How might that shape a person’s understanding of forgiveness? [31:21]
- Hebrews 10 describes the law as a shadow of the good things coming. Why might faithfully repeating a religious practice still be unable to bring the deep change a person needs? [39:32]
- How does God’s reconciliation of all things in Colossians 1:19–20 challenge the idea that salvation concerns only an individual’s relationship with God? What might this mean for a church’s concern for its neighborhood? [40:43]
- Jesus’ suffering outside the city gate places him among the shamed and excluded. What does his presence there reveal about whether someone can be too broken or too far away to receive his care? [42:42]
Application questions
- Small acts of love can bless a community beyond the immediate moment. When has someone’s simple kindness given you a glimpse of life as God intends it? Is there a similar kindness you could offer someone this week? [28:26]
- Fear, hatred, and dehumanizing words can linger in a community like smog. Where do you notice that atmosphere affecting your own words or attitudes? What might help you respond differently in one conversation this week? [27:44]
- God removes sin rather than merely concealing it. Is there a failure you have confessed but still carry as though it defines you? What might help you receive God’s forgiveness more deeply? Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. [36:39]
- Christ’s reconciling work reaches beyond personal forgiveness to the healing of the world. What broken relationship or local need has been on your heart? What small step toward peace or care could you take without feeling responsible for fixing everything? [41:49]
- No depth of brokenness places someone beyond Jesus’ presence. Where do you need that reassurance today, or who might need you to be present with them without trying to explain away their pain? [43:04]
- God’s people are called to offer blessing and make room for his healing, rather than control the outcome. In a situation you are trying hard to manage, what might it look like to listen, pray, or offer practical help while leaving room for God to work? [43:32]
