Sacrifice In Preparation For The Sacrifice

Why is this significant to us?

• We sometimes glibly think of the several hours we spend at church every week as a "sacrifice"

• We sometimes think of the hand me downs we donate to the church or to the poor as a "sacrifice"

• We sometimes think of the relatively minor simplicity with which we conduct our lives as a "sacrifice"

But are they really sacrifices?

Do they cost us anything at all?

Do they require care or attention?

Do we really miss the time or the materials that go into our "sacrifices?"

A sacrifice to the Israelites was not appropriately offered unless time, care, money, and attention were sacrificed before ever approaching the altar.

I am reminded of two ideas from the First Testament

David was experiencing a time of God’s judgement. He wanted to bring it to an end and decided that sacrifice was the way to go. He found the most appropriate site and he approached the owner:

David said to him, "Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price." Araunah said to David, "Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this." But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing." (1 Chronicles 21:22-24 NIV)

David understood the personal cost of sacrifice. Even as the king who could take what he wanted and was respected enough to be given it openly. He was determined to keep it personal between him and God.

The sacrifice for our sins has been paid

We no longer sacrifice on altars. Jesus paid the price for our sin. That sacrifice is the most important, the most over reaching and significant sacrifice of all time. It applies even to us, now, 2000 years later. Our sins may be washed away by the simple acceptance of Jesus forgiveness, bought for us on the cross.

Every year in the Spring, we commemorate His sacrifice and resurrection in the holidays we call Good Friday and Easter. In the broader sense, we remember His sacrifice in the season called Lent, that 40 days that precedes Easter, a time of self-denial and repentance.

In this regard, we give ourselves a living sacrifice to Jesus. This is an attitude that we should be about all year, but it is particularly important to us in the time leading up to Holy Week.

Review your sacrifice

Your discipleship

As you reflect in this season on what you give in your discipleship to Christ, remember that He does not require a tithe, He requires everything.

Discipleship to Christ is freely received, but costly to practice.

Your financial giving

The offerings we take here are not about the budget. They are about the work of God in our region. They are about the releasing of the flood plain, in your lives and in the lives of those you love.

• Do you give what is left over?