Monday July 29
Parents are known to make sacrifices for their children nearly on a daily basis – something their children aren’t often aware of or appreciate until when they’re much older. Sadly though, a generation of parents are rising who are more concerned for themselves than their children. Sacrifice should be a culture and a daily culture at that.
1. Jesus’ Sacrifice for Sin
Jesus who’d never left His Father’s presence made a huge sacrifice to bear the sin of the world and have His Father turn from Him on the cross. This sacrifice frees us from making any further sacrifice to God. Jesus shed his blood once and for all for all generations.
2. Sacrifice of Praise
Romans 11.33
In response to all that God has done for us, let’s offer Him a sacrifice of praise with our lips.
3. Living Sacrifice
Romans 12
We’re encouraged to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. That is, sacrifice the whole of your life for the whole of your life. Our act of worship is no longer to bring a sacrifice but to be the sacrifice.
4. Sacrifice of Generosity
This is commonplace but there’s an aspect we often leave out. Romans 12.20 – buy lunch for your enemies. It’s easy to be kind to our friends, but we’re encouraged to show kindness to people who don’t like our gut.
5. Sacrifice of Love
Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould. – J.B. Phillips
Doing good means giving up things that aren’t good.
Sacrifice of love also involves being ourselves. Feel free to be yourself rather than wear a mask. Be sincere. Instead of trying to impress people with our masks, we reveal our true self & flaws and build a deeper relationship because we connect through our vulnerability.
Let evil be overcome by good.
6. Understanding Old Testament Sacrifices
The essence
of these old testament sacrifices is that they prefigure the sacrifice of Jesus
on the cross. The sacrifice of bull and lamb is to make at-one-ment for our
sins. Jesus died to make us ‘at one’ with God. He is the one true and perfect
sacrifice.
