DAY 49: Leviticus 16-18 What does it actually take to remove sin? In today’s episode of Five Minute Bible, we arrive at the theological center of Leviticus, and in many ways, the center of the entire Pentateuch. Leviticus 16–18 brings us to the Day of Atonement and then shows us what kind of life must follow if sin has truly been dealt with. Leviticus 16 opens with a reminder of danger. Nadab and Abihu died for approaching God casually. The high priest does not enter the Most Holy Place whenever he wishes. He enters once a year, and he does not enter boldly. He enters trembling, with blood. First, he offers sacrifice for himself. The mediator must be cleansed before he can represent others. Then two goats are brought forward. One is slain, and its blood is carried behind the veil and sprinkled on the mercy seat. The sanctuary itself must be cleansed from the accumulated defilement of Israel’s sin. Sin does not merely stain people. It contaminates sacred space. The second goat remains alive. The high priest lays his hands upon it and confesses over it all the sins of the people. Not vague wrongdoing. All their iniquities. All their transgressions. All their sins. The goat is then led away into the wilderness, carrying guilt outside the camp. One goat dies. One goat departs. Sin is paid for and removed. Leviticus 17 grounds this in the theology of blood. Life is in the blood. Blood belongs to God. It is given on the altar to make atonement. Atonement is not casual. It is covenantally regulated. Then Leviticus 18 turns to sexual ethics. The placement is deliberate. Once sin is removed, life must be reshaped. Israel must not imitate Egypt or Canaan. Holiness reaches into desire, into family structures, into the bedroom. Sin, we are told, destabilizes even the land itself. The pattern is unmistakable: cleansing must lead to consecration. We often want the scapegoat without the standards. We want guilt removed without desire reformed. We want forgiveness without formation. Leviticus refuses that separation. If sin truly contaminates, cleansing must be thorough. If blood truly represents life, atonement must be costly. And if sin corrupts cultures, holiness must reach into private behavior. And then Christ fulfills what this day anticipated. The high priest enters once a year. Christ enters the true heavenly sanctuary once for all. The slain goat foreshadows substitution. Christ dies in the place of His people. The scapegoat foreshadows removal. Christ bears reproach outside the city, carrying guilt away from those He redeems. The blood placed on the mercy seat finds its fulfillment in the blood poured out at the cross. Under the old covenant, this ritual repeated every year. In Christ, it is finished. Leviticus 16–18 teaches that atonement is not sentimental. It is surgical. Christ accomplishes what the Day of Atonement could only symbolize, and the cleansing He brings reshapes how His people live. As you read today, consider this question:If sin has truly been removed, what kind of life must follow? Tomorrow, we will see how holiness extends outward into justice, compassion, economic fairness, and love of neighbor, showing that life with God reshapes every relationship. CHECK IT OUT ON: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6jKPORV75RzsBVOqC8IsvE?si=e1d0801259e14135 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/five-minute-bible/id1865075283 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@KendallLankford Let’s Church:https://lets.church/channel/five-minute-bible
