Leviticus 1:1-9

Leviticus may feel dull and dated, but it lays a foundation beneath the beauty of the gospel, showing us the holiness of God and the seriousness of our sin. Through the Levitical sacrifices, we glimpse the cost of atonement and the way God provides a substitute. The altar points forward to Christ, whose body was broken and blood poured out so that sinners might draw near to a holy God.

Leviticus 1:1-9

The first seven chapters of Leviticus detail the sacrificial system God gave Israel so that sinful people could live in the presence of a holy God. While the sacrificial system foreshadows the sufficiency of the ministry and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Christians should not move too quickly past important truths Leviticus painstakingly makes: God is holy, we are sinful, a sacrifice is necessary, and as Hebrews says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (9:22).

Luke 4:14-30

Today we witness a shocking scene: the very people who knew Jesus best tried to throw Him off a cliff. It wasn’t ignorance that led to their rejection; it was familiarity, entitlement, and expectations of a Messiah who would fit their preferences. Jesus proclaimed grace, freedom, and spiritual rescue, yet they wanted power, signs, and national glory.

This sermon explores how easily we can admire Jesus, speak well of Him, and still resist the real Christ when He confronts our pride and exposes our need. Ultimately, this passage warns us that grace is offered on God’s terms, not ours. We are invited to humbly receive the Savior we truly need.