Aaron shall casts lots for the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat. Then Aaron shall offer the goat on which the lot for the LORD fell, and make it a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot for the scapegoat fell shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
Leviticus 16:8-10 NASB

If you look up the term scapegoat in the dictionary, you will see two different definitions. One is the biblical definition which references our Scripture passage for today. The other is the modern day definition which says a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes or faults of others, especially for expediency. This is what Jesus is for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus didn’t become a sinner, but He took on our sin upon the cross so we might be saved.

Now some versions use the term azazel for scapegoat, this term is the combination of two words meaning goat and depart. Isaiah 53:4 says, “Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains…”  Romans 3:25 says, “God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood…” 1 John 2:2 says, “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins…” The term propitiation means atonement or appeasing God. Jesus paid the price required to get us in right standing with God or to give us righteousness that we are incapable of earning on our own.

Jesus is our scapegoat. We all sin, but Jesus never sinned. But, to save a bunch of rotten sinners like you and me, He took on our sin. The blood He shed up on that cross can cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we are willing to confess our sins (1 John 1:9).

If you were living back in the Old Testament days of Leviticus, you would have to come to church with animals to sacrifice. The people were to bring what they could afford. In the case of those who could not afford animals, they were to bring fine flour or baked goods.

This is Old Testament law, remember this. All of this changed when Jesus died on the cross. At that time, He became our azazel or our scapegoat. Back in the days of Moses, God gave very specific instructions for numerous offerings required for sin. It took a lot of work to be forgiven for your sins under the Old Testament covenant. People had to go through very elaborate rituals performed through a priest. But Jesus’ death on the cross changed all that. We are now under a new covenant. I love reading the Old Testament because it gives me a deeper appreciation of what Jesus did for us.

Because of what Jesus did for us, we no longer have to bring animals to church and sacrifice them upon the altar. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and paid the ultimate price for our sins. We don’t have to load up a bull or a ram and bring them to church. John 14:6 tells us Jesus is the way the truth and the life and that no man comes before God the Father except through Him.

If you are in a church that practices Old Testament rituals be very careful, my friend. Jesus gave His life so that we no longer have to do that. Church should be a place of worshiping Him, not performing Old Testament rituals. If a church slaughtered one goat and set another free during church service, you may be concerned, right? But often times, it is more subtle things that symbolize some of these Old Testament rituals. Be very careful. Those days are over and we are under a new covenant. Salvation is as easy as ABC. First we have to admit that we are sinners (Romans 3:23). Then we have to believe that Jesus is God’s son who died on the cross for our sins. We have to believe that he rose on the third day and we can trust in Him and Him alone for our salvation. Then we have to commit our lives to Him.

Once Jesus became our scapegoat, He is all we need. He removes our sin from us if we will only believe and accept the salvation that He so freely offers.

After He did all this for us, do you think He would really want us going through all of these Old Testament rituals when He gave His life so that we no longer have to?

We no longer have to go through all of these rituals, we only need to believe in Him and love Him with all our heart, all our soul and all our minds. Our focus should be on Him and not on rituals.

Have a great day!