It is easy to take aspects of our modern world for granted. For example, we have refrigeration to store and preserve food and ready access to clean running water. Unless you’ve lived without these conveniences, you might not appreciate how wonderful they are. Many aspects of the book of Leviticus probably seem foreign and strange to Christians today. One of the reasons is that we have never participated in animal sacrifice or abided by Jewish dietary laws. Since Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament sacrificial system, we are no longer under it. But studying the law provides a richer understanding of God’s gift to us in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews rejoices in the comparison between the sacrifice of Jesus and the sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus. He notes that the sacrifices in Leviticus always pointed beyond themselves. As Hebrews teaches, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (v. 4). But Jesus, through His once-for- all sacrifice, cleansed us from sin and made us holy (v. 10). Instead of having a priest present offerings day after day, Jesus fully achieved our atonement for sin (v. 11). After His resurrection, He sat down at the right hand of God. His work was complete (v. 12). When we trust in Jesus’ death to atone for our sin, we receive forgiveness and are made holy (v. 14). Even more astounding, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us. God’s presence is now not screened behind the veil in the Holy of Holies. We have access to the Father! >> We hope this study of Leviticus helped you more fully understand and appreciate the salvation we have been given through Jesus. Studying the sacrificial system and the role of the priests reveals to us the wonder of what Jesus has done. A perfect God can only be in fellowship with holy people. Through Jesus, God made a way for us to become holy.