Blog: Gary Scott
November 24, 2015
When we study the first five books of the Old Testament, we learn about the sacrifices that the Jews were to offer under the law of Moses. These included the whole burnt offerings and the free will offerings. These prefigure the nature of the sacrifices we are to make. “Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5
In whole burnt offerings, Exodus 29:18, we can recognize that our whole life is to be a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.” Romans 12:1. In the free will offerings, Leviticus 22:21, we can see that our service to God is to be willingly given. “Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7.
The origin of sacrifices is traced back in the scripture to the actions of the sons of Adam and Eve. Genesis 4; Hebrews 11:4. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous.” But as the central theme of the Bible, it focuses upon the sacrifice of Christ for our sins. “But he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12. “For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
“Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5. Those spiritual sacrifices range from denying self, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” Matthew 16:24, to the fruit of our lips, “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.” Hebrews 13:15. It also includes the support of the preaching of the gospel, as in the case of the Philippians to Paul. “But I have all things and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, and odor of sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18.
Just here, let us contrast the fixation of the world has upon the birth of Jesus…the observances and traditions connected with Christmas, rather than his sacrificial death. These annual celebrations are nowhere commanded or observed in the scripture. But the weekly memorial of his death is plainly commanded. Matthew 26:26-29, and the complete instructions for observance are given: Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34. Could it be that society would rather concentrate upon something which makes no demands upon them than the event that infers great responsibility upon them – sacrifice?