Messy

Our subject this week is a troubling one.  We go to Leviticus and read about the Hebrew sacrificial system which was followed by faithful Jews for many generations.  We come to realize that the sins that we take so lightly involve an affront to God ... even the 'little' ones.  Tony Evans talks about sin in an effective way.  He describes sins as links in a chain.  We are hanging from a cliff by the chain.  Whenever we sin a link in the chain breaks.  It doesn't matter whether the sin is what we consider small or large ... the chain is still broken and we still fall.  Get the idea?
Leviticus is also about a primitive method of atonement for sin.  It is a messy atonement in that something must doe for our sin.  It begins as Adam and Eve leave the garden and animals must be killed to provide clothing they didn't need in the perfection of the pre-sin garden.  It ends an a hill above Jerusalem where a young man is executed for all of the sins before and after.  He is the lamb (the perfect, unblemished lamb) that takes away the sins of the world.  It is a messy scene.  The book of Hebrews calls this event a perfect sacrifice which is done once for all people.
As I reflect on this I can't help but think about the Levitical system where the person offering the sacrifice is in charge of placing his hand on the sacrifice, killing the unblemished animal, cleaning up the mess, guts and all.  Then, I see myself (as described by Dr. Mounce in the audio of this message) placing my hand on the head of Jesus, knife in hand.  Mine is the sin He is dying for.  Mine is the mess and the horror of that moment.  It is a sad thought and it hurts to think that someone has to do this so that I can know the presence and holiness of God.
What do you think?  How does this image make you feel?  Here are the words from Hebrews 10:8-10 "Sacrifices and burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them (although the law required them to be made).  Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will."  He set aside the first to establish the second.  And by that will we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all."
Sunday we will go to the communion table and remember that sacrifice.  Some of us will do the routine and the liturgy and go away unchanged.  I will remember.  My messy sin.  His messy death.  My calling to never forget that my righteousness is only through what Jesus has done for me.