When Isaiah encountered the Lord in His holy presence, he responded as anyone would. “I am ruined,” the prophet said, when he crossed the line into God’s presence. “Woe is me,” he declared. (Is. 6:8) We forget that God alone is holy, and we reduce Him to a lower level. When we do this, everything goes to a lower level.

Are we forever separated from God? Lost forever? No hope? Because of the blood of Jesus, we enter God’s presence without fear. This is the Good News. The more you understand your sin, the more you will worship and praise Him for what He has done.

Sin brings disease, disaster, and ruin. Romans 3:10-12 says that no one is righteous. The good news is that we do not need to remain in sin. God puts His hand down and draws us up! Atonement = AT ONE MENT, reconciliation with God. After our true encounter with God, the natural response is to share this with others (Is. 6:6-7).

In the Old Testament, the blood of a lamb was necessary for atonement (Lev. 17:11, Is. 55:8-9). Yom Kippur was the one day of the year where Aaron, the high priest, went into the Holy of Holies to take care of his own sin first and then the sins of the people.There were two goats–the sacrificial lamb and the scapegoat, which went into the desert. Jesus’ perfect blood takes away our sins, not just once but for all time. No animal sacrifices could permanently take away sin. Jesus is the High Priest for all time (Heb. 4:14). Atonement happened with
1. ONE person (Jesus)
2. ONE day (crucifixion/Good Friday)
3. ONE place (cross)
(See John 1:14, Heb. 7:26-27, Rom. 3:23-25)

Like the old hymn asks, “What can take away my sin?” The answer is, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

Have you received Jesus and His forgiveness? Are you ready to start a relationship with Him? Have you confessed your sins and asked Him to forgive you? (Heb. 4:14-16)