He shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the alter as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. (NIV)

Chernobyl was one of the worst man-made disasters to occur in the 20th century and rightly so. What started out as a test turned into a meltdown of a nuclear reactor that sent radioactive contaminants airborne throughout Russia and Europe. While the incident directly caused 30 nuclear plant workers to die, deaths of clean-up crews and illnesses to those in surrounding villages continue to be linked to Chernobyl's radioactive exposure. Chernobyl’s ongoing clean-up efforts remain to this day.  

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After decades of handling toxic material, we now know what they didn’t know then: radioactive material must be handled with special care. Those who work in a power plant or handle radioactive material wear special clothing, protective eyewear, gloves, and special breather masks, and they must take precise measures when handling it. Radioactive material is stored in “lock box” cases or a locked fridge/freezer, away from other materials. Areas or objects contaminated with radioactive material need to be thoroughly washed with soap and water, and those who come into contact need to be quarantined.  Radioactive material is not to be treated lightly: without proper disposal, contamination can cause illness, death and even alter our human DNA, affecting generations to come.  

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The book of Leviticus makes me think of those who work in a power plant handling radioactive material. The priests in the Old Testament were set apart, appointed by God to perform precise rituals to atone for the sins of the people. Priests weren’t any holier than the people - they too had to perform sin offerings and make themselves right before God before they could intercede and perform offerings for others. Priests also had very specific requirements from God that outlined how to perform offerings; failure to follow the guidelines resulted in death.  

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God is holy and righteous. And sin, like radioactive material, cannot be taken lightly. If not handled or dealt with properly, it can alter the human heart and contaminate those around us.

I’d imagine it was a lot of work to be a priest: time consuming, messy no doubt, smelly, and repetitive - always having to pay attention to every detail. Atonement wasn’t an easy process. To slaughter your best livestock or present your best harvest was costly. But God didn’t make up ridiculous rules or requirements because he is conniving or manipulative. God wanted people to orient their life around him in every aspect. God wanted the Israelites to trust him and to understand that he was their sustainer.  

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The role and duty of the priest in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate high priest, Jesus Christ. Reading Leviticus in all the finer details only highlights the holiness of God the Father and the awesomeness of Jesus fulfilling every requirement for our sins. We no longer have to slaughter animals or burn our crops as an offering to be right before God. What we do have to do is allow Jesus to be our high priest in every aspect of our lives.  

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In what way do you need to reorient your life to allow for Christ to be your high priest? In what ways have you not taken Christ’s sacrifice seriously? Spend some time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to search your heart and lead you in his way.

Lord, I praise you that you are a Holy God, that you are Everlasting and the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank you for making a way for your son Jesus Christ to be our perfect sacrifice and our high priest. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that is always indwelling me, teaching and guiding. Search my heart, Lord, and show me the ways in which I need to reorient my life around Jesus alone. May I not take my sin lightly but uphold your loving forgiveness to myself and those around me. Amen.