The law was our guardian until Christ came…but now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. – Galatians 3:24-25

The book of Leviticus is where God clearly calls out His people to be set apart from the rest of the world. He implores them to a life of sanctification and holiness. Leviticus is sometimes referred to as the “book of life.” In its pages, the Lord presents His desire and plan for His people to live in continual relationship with Him. In fact, He gives many specific rules and laws to the Israelites for living a holy life. On the positive side, the laws reveal His nature and will and instruct them how to live. On the negative side, those laws point out people’s sins and show them that it is actually humanly impossible to please Him by trying to completely obey all His laws. Even all the Levitical sacrifices could not permanently resolve the sin issue. A permanent sacrifice was needed.

Jehovah Mekoddishkem means “the Lord who sanctifies.” The law teaches the need for salvation and cleansing from sin. God’s grace provided this redemption through Jesus Christ. As a result, people can now become alive in Him and embrace His desires while simultaneously becoming dead to the sin nature and human will.

So as you celebrate Christ’s birth this season, thank Him for being the ultimate sacrifice. He came to Earth in human flesh in order to pay the price for your sins so you could be in relationship with Him. And as you are consecrated to Him, you are sanctified by your Jehovah Mekoddishkem.

Pray that your national and local governing officials would also accept Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf, allowing Him to sanctify them into a holy life of relationship with Him.