We like to make Satan our scapegoat. Satan likes when we make him our scapegoat. But God intended the scapegoat to be seen as the temporary penalty for sin, not for us to blame the goat for our sin and joyfully see it slaughtered or run off into the wilderness. The scapegoat is a foreshadow of Christ, the true and final Scapegoat. We sin because in our nature we love our sin. No need to blame Satan. And we shouldn't put Satan in place of what Jesus willfully took upon himself, to his own honor and glory. My flesh loves what is opposed to God and my spirit mourns and laments over what my deceitful heart draws me near. In hope I cling to the Christ, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Payor, and my author and perfector of my faith.
Scapegoats
We like to make Satan our scapegoat. Satan likes when we make him our scapegoat. But God intended the scapegoat to be seen as the temporary penalty for sin, not for us to blame the goat for our sin and joyfully see it slaughtered or run off into the wilderness. The scapegoat is a foreshadow of Christ, the true and final Scapegoat. We sin because in our nature we love our sin. No need to blame Satan. And we shouldn't put Satan in place of what Jesus willfully took upon himself, to his own honor and glory. My flesh loves what is opposed to God and my spirit mourns and laments over what my deceitful heart draws me near. In hope I cling to the Christ, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Payor, and my author and perfector of my faith.
Soli Deo gloria.
Leviticus 16:1-34, 1 John 2:2, Hebrews 12:2