By John Greco
Animal sacrifices are gross. Just read through the book of Leviticus, and you’ll be glad you don’t live in the days of temple sacrifice. There’s blood being sprinkled, poured, wiped on the altar, and collected in jars. Animals are cut up so that some parts can be burned, others can be eaten, and still others can be taken outside the camp and burned differently. All in all, it’s a mess.
But there’s also something quite beautiful about it.
Through the sacrificial system, God made a way for His people to come close and worship Him. The tabernacle, and later the temple, housed the very presence of God. That reality defies our limited ability to comprehend, but it’s true nonetheless. God had come close. His space was sacred, and to keep our sinfulness and uncleanness from defiling God’s throne room on earth, the sacrificial system was given. The blood of animals purified the place of worship so that men and women could come near.
At their core, the various sacrifices described in the Old Testament were about worship. The people gave their livestock—the best of the best of what they could afford. It was costly, always an act of ascribing to God the honor due His name. There was no low-priced, discount option that would do the trick. A sacrifice was just that—a sacrifice to make.
Fast-forward to the New Testament era in which you and I live. Jesus has paid the once-and-forever price to atone for our sin so that those He has redeemed can draw near to God, no animal sacrifices required. The Holy Spirit now lives inside those of us who are believers. We are now the temple of God, so everywhere we tread is sacred space, especially when we gather together as the Church. But that doesn’t mean our days of making sacrifices are over.
What was planted in seed form in the Old Testament grows into full bloom in the New. So, we should expect that what was required of the sacrificial system under the Mosaic Covenant only expands under the New Covenant—and it does. God no longer requires the blood of bulls and goats. Now He wants us—you and me—given over to Him as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1–2). Everything we have, everything we are, and everything we do is to be given over to God. We are His, and our lives should show it.
About a thousand years before Christ, David got it. He wrote, “The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God” (Psalm 51:17). It is this “broken spirit’ and “humbled heart” that allows a person to become a living sacrifice. Pride has no place in the life of a Christian. We have been bought and paid for. We belong to God, and our lives ought to reflect this fact. Our sacrifices may not be as bloody as they were under the Old Covenant, but they ought to be even more costly.
Written by John Greco
4,986 thoughts on "Worship Through Sacrifice"
-
What’s up to every one, the contents present at this web site are genuinely awesome for people knowledge,
well, keep up the nice work fellows. -
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before
but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently! -
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to
be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest
you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles
referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit of it.
I have got you book-marked to check out new things you I’ll immediately grab
your rss feed as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service.Do you have any? Kindly permit me recognize in order
that I may just subscribe. Thanks. http://Foxnews.org/ -
I all the time used to read piece of writing in news papers but
now as I am a user of net so from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web. -
Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established
blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I
can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where
to start. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?Cheers
-
Asking questions are in fact fastidious thing
if you are not understanding something entirely, but this piece of writing provides nice understanding even. -
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you so much,
However I am having issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it.Is there anyone else having the same RSS problems? Anyone that knows the answer
can you kindly respond? Thanx!! -
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative.
I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future.
Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers! -
If you want to increase your knowledge simply keep visiting
this website and be updated with the latest
information posted here. -
Hi mates, nice article and fastidious arguments commented here, I am really enjoying by
these. -
Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast
coming yet again to read additional news. -
I blog often and I genuinely appreciate your content. This great article has
truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book
mark your site and keep checking for new information about once a week.
I opted in for your Feed as well. -
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly think this web site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more,
thanks for the info! -
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care
for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a very
long time. Thank you and good luck. -
Hello there, You have done an incredible job.
I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site. -
After checking out a few of the articles on your website, I seriously appreciate your way of writing a blog.
I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check
out my web site as well and tell me your opinion. -
Hi I am so excited I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google for something else, Anyhow I am
here now and would just like to say cheers for a incredible post
and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse
it all at the moment but I have saved it
and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome
work. -
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
You have some really good posts and I think I would be a good asset.If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to
write some content for your blog in exchange for
a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested.
Thanks! -
I was recommended this web site through my cousin. I am now not positive whether this publish is written via him
as nobody else recognize such exact approximately my trouble.
You are wonderful! Thank you! -
Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get
a lot of spam responses? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.
Comments are closed.
Post Comments (4986)