So lately I have been studying Leviticus. When I first started the study, I was pretty un-excited about it. Everything I had previously read in Leviticus was either boring or to be honest, rather vulgar. However, the Lord has been teaching me a lot about the Old Testament and its use in my life. Growing up, I was more or less taught that Old Testament stories were used to teach me morals: I should obey God because Adam and Eve didn't, the Ten Commandments were a good standard to live by, I should have the same faith that Daniel had in the Lion's Den. However, and praise the Father for this, I have begun to really understand and grasp the beauty of the Old Testament being woven together for one purpose: to point to the promised one, Jesus Christ. Now when I read the story of Adam and Eve, I am reminded of the fall and what that means for me and the rest of mankind (Eph. 2:1-3). But then it also reminds me of the redemptive plan that God set into action before time began through Christ (Eph. 2:4-7). And when I look at the Ten Commandments, instead of seeing them as guidelines on which to base my life, I see them as a mirror (thank you Sky Pratt) to show me my depraved state. The law has no power to save; only the power to expose. And when a person comes face to face with his/her deadness, that is when the gospel ("good news" because it really is!) shines through. God is so good.

But anyway, back to Leviticus. What is so cool about Leviticus is that it points to Christ. As I am reading about all the different offerings, I am reminded that Christ fulfilled the law and was THE ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. And what is neat is that the sacrifices in Leviticus were a pleasant aroma to God when they were offered with a humble heart. Leviticus 1:9 says, "and the priest shall burn all of it on the alter as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord." Now on to the New Testament. Ephesians 5:2 says, "and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Like I said, Christ was the ultimate sacrifice to God on our behalf, and just as the sacrifices in the OT were a pleasing aroma to the Father, so the Son's substitutionary death on the cross was the most pleasant aroma to Him. So neat!

And now, because of all of that, we, as believers, are to live a life of love; a life of love to God as well as to others. Our lives, just as Christ's was, are to be a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." We were created in Christ Jesus to live holy lives full of good works (Eph. 2:10). And when we live those lives of good works (works that are done out of love for the Lord and for His glory), we produce a pleasant aroma to the Father.

So humbling that He loves us and uses us!

Madelyn