Reparation

This has to do with making amends for a wrong that someone as done to another. It follows the apology or taking ownership of how I wronged the other person. It sometimes involves money or certain on-going service. It’s similar to community service for a misdemeanor conviction. I have not used this term in trying to remedy a hurtful or harmful mistake that I’ve made against another. I’ve learned the wisdom in taking ownership of my behavior and the sooner, the better.

The Israelite community was free from the oversight of the Egyptians or any other organized government. They were now under the leadership and government of God Himself. He has given specific instructions about civil behavior as well as spiritual behavior. The Lord give instructions about dealing with their sin. He institutes a “day of atonement” for cleaning up of sin. Check this out…

29 ‘This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: on the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work – whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you – 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of Sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. 32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.

34 ‘This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.’

And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 16:29-34 NIV)

I looked up the word “atonement” and it carried with it reparation. I started thinking of all the wrong I’ve done in my past and I quickly realize that I have nothing to make reparations with. How could I “pay” for my sin? What could I have that the Lord would want in reparation for my sin? Duh! He has made it clear that He wants my heart to be devoted to His heart. He doesn’t “need” anything I have, but He desires to have a close and connected relationship with me every day of my life. I do need a wake-up call pretty often. I need constant forgiveness for my sin. The really amazing thing about Jesus is that He became the reparation for my sin and my screw-ups. I can’t do it but He can. That is a love that is hard to wrap my head around. I’m learning to quit trying to understand the depth of His love and simply accept that amazing gift. His love for me became the atonement (aka reparation) for my sin. #Thankful

Pressing On!

Dwayne