The Sacrifice

When we think about the word sacrifice we think about giving up something. Usually we're trying to accomplish something else when we sacrifice something. If we want to lose weight for example, maybe we give up doughnuts or a second helping of stuffing. Ain't no gain without some pain.

God demanded lots of sacrifices throughout the Old Testament. The Book of Leviticus is filled with them. Sacrifices usually involved animals - bulls, goats, lambs, doves, rams, etc. The common thread that runs through those animal sacrifices is their blood. Why?

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11

Blood is required for sacrifice. Somehow giving up doughnuts no longer seems like it should be called a sacrifice. If blood is required for a sacrifice, have you or I ever truly sacrificed anything at all?

What kind of sacrifice does God want from us then? Here's a verse that will provide an answer.

"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." - Psalm 51:16-17

God requires blood to cover our sins but God does not desire our sacrifices or offerings. He wants a repentant heart. So where is the blood in that? Blood is required! Where is it?

The blood that God required was shed on the cross. God Himself provided the required blood sacrifice. The sacrifice . . . was Jesus!

How does that make you feel? Someone died so that you might live. If that doesn't give you a broken and contrite heart, nothing can.

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower us with inner strength through his Spirit. 17Then Christ will make his home in our hearts as we trust in him. Our roots will grow down into God’s love and keep us strong. 18And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." - Ephesians 3:14-18

The sacrifice God wants from us is our sinful life. But even if we offer it, it is an unworthy sacrifice. Why? Because we are not spotless like the required lamb in Leviticus. But Jesus is spotless, sinless. And God has said that if we place our faith in Jesus our sins will be forgiven. We will become spotless because Jesus was spotless. It's that simple, and that amazing.

Let us fall to our knees in prayers of thanksgiving. God has provided the sacrifice. All we have to do is repent and believe.