Sacrifice – Part three

Besides tending the lamps and burning the incense every morning and every evening, the priests offered daily sacrifices. “And thou shalt say unto them, this is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even…it is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD” (Num. 28:3-4,6; Ex. 29:38­-42).

Many sacrifices that could never take away sins

These daily sacrifices could never take away sins. “Every priest stan­deth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Heb. 10:11). The repetition of the daily sacrifices emphasized that they could never perfect those who offered them. More generally, “The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the corners thereunto perfect” (Heb. 10:1).

One sacrifice that can take away sin

In contrast, Jesus Christ “after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God…For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:12,14). Christ’s one sacrifice is good for all time.

Interestingly, the Greek word translated “for ever” occurs only in Hebrews 7:3; 10:1,12,14 and means “continually” or “in perpetuity.” Unlike the many offerings of the Mosaic priests, Jesus was the lamb of God providing the one sacrifice that can successfully remove our sins if we are sanctified in him.

Following Christ’s example

We must follow the example of our Savior who laid down his life for his friends (John 15:13). In response to the love that has been shown to us, we must also lay down our lives for our brethren (I John 3:16). God loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins; if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another (I John 4:10-11). As dear children of God, we should walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2).

What does this language mean? It means that we give of ourselves continually, willing if necessary to suffer hardship to help our brothers and sisters. We cannot save them like Christ can, but we certainly can help them with their material and spiritual needs. In God’s love, he has provided Christ, through whom we have our sins forgiven. We respond by loving and caring for our brethren, by encouraging and strengthening them, by forgiving them and sharing the joys of fellowship with them. This is not much to ask; it is the least we can do. Indeed, it is a blessing to be able to show God how much we appreciate what he has done for us.

Spiritual sacrifices

“I [Paul] beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:1-2).

We, “as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices” (I Pet. 2:5).

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb. 13:15-16).

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee

Hymn 111 is a wonderful hymn. It summarizes the kind of sacrifices that we should make. In the hymn, we dedicate our whole life, every day, to God. We should continually think about the message of this hymn:

Take my life, and let it be consecrated,
Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days, let
them flow in ceaseless praise;
Take my hands and let them move at
the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and
beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always,
only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be filled
with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite
would I withhold;

Take my intellect, and use every power
as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine; it shall
be no longer mine;
Take my heart; it is Thine own; it shall
be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at Thy
feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only,
all for Thee.

Our daily service

Let us summarize our daily service. The priests under the law had three daily tasks: filling the lamps so they would burn continually before God; burning incense as a sweet smelling odor before God; and offering daily sacrifices unto God. Each of these daily duties corresponds to one of our daily duties today. Keeping oil in the lamps is our daily Bible reading and study; the shining light is our preaching efforts. Burning incense is our daily prayers. Offering daily sacrifices is our offering of daily, living, spiritual sacrifices, including praises of thanksgiving to God.

Each of our daily duties focuses our attention on Christ. Jesus is the word made flesh; he fulfilled the law and the prophets; he always speaks God’s words; his words will judge us at his return. Christ is our faithful high priest providing help in time of need; he is at God’s right hand interceding on our behalf in our battle against sin. Jesus offered the one true sacrifice for all time; through him our sins are forgiven; he is our mercy seat; he is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; we are to follow his example; we are to remember and give thanks for all that he has accomplished for us.

Let us improve our devotions to God, reading His word, praying, dedicating ourselves to His service.

In service day by day

As we await our Lord’s return, let us pray, “Thine absence now we daily mourn; we long thy face to see; no lasting joy till thy return. We do remember thee: ‘Come Lord,’ thy waiting servants say, ‘Come quickly, set us free:’ meanwhile, in service day by day, we will remember thee.”