As the commentator notes, the Jewish spiritual life included not just "feasts of celebration, remembrance, and thanksgiving," but also sacrifices and offerings. There are two major purposes for these sacrifices and offerings: 1) "the removal of guilt (expiation)" and 2) "the obtaining of God's favor (propiation)." Today, we read about two of the kinds of offering: burnt offerings, an example of expiation, and cereal/grain offerings, an example of propiation.
1. Burnt offerings. A burnt offering comes from the herd, flocks, or birds. As the offering, valuable to the giver, becomes engulfed in flames and consumed by fire, the worshippers might regard these flames ascending to God. While part of every offering received burning in the sacred fire, these offerings were wholly burned. The most frequent form of sacrifice, it is the only type mentioned in the Book of Genesis -- by Abel (Genesis 4:3,4); Noah (Genesis 8:20); and Abraham (Genesis 22:2,7,8,13). The Israelites also offered such a sacrifice in Egypt (Exodus 10:25).
2. Grain offerings. These offerings looked to draw God's favor, providing an "aroma pleasing to the LORD." The Israelites were not to use leaven, which may have pointed to their depature from Egypt. These offerings were also to receive the "salt of the covenant" and a portion thereof would go to the Levites.
3. Applications. As we read the New Testament, we quickly gather a change in the sacrificial system that has transpired through Christ. For the Christian, the completed sacrifice of Jesus has covered over all guilt: "When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!... For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." (Hebrews 9:11-15ff).
Yet, we may offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise. In 2 Corinthians 2:14,15, we read: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." Paul describes the Philippians' generosity in similar terms: "I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." (Philippians 4:18)
The greatest sacrifice we may offer is our life, represented in devotion to God and His will. Our faithful following after His heart leads us to pour out our lives for Him and for others. It involves a re-orientation of priorities. Romans 12:1 reads: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship." Paul describes his life as a "drink offering" both in Philippians 2:17 and 2 Timothy 4:6. His words in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 give us encouragement as we see the pouring out and waning of our earthly lives: "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
QUESTIONS
1. Why do we often wish to offer sacrifices, now unnecessary, to "cover" our guilt or shame?
2. How can you offer your life as a "sacrifice of praise" this week?
No comments:
Post a Comment