Sacrifice...

I have been reading the Old Testament later for my quiet time, and just finished up to Leviticus. I've been jumping around a little, first by reading Job, then Joshua, and then Isaiah through Malachi. I have just recently started at Genesis, and am working my way back to Isaiah.

 

As I read the books of Exodus and Leviticus, several themes stick out. First of all is God's holiness, and His desire for obedience and holiness and His people. Sin is taken very seriously and is punished. God can not stand sin. Just a side not, but it is interesting to not how radically different our modern church's mindset is compared to what God expected of His people. Granted, we are not under the law, but there is no real desire for holiness, and sin is not treated seriously. It is sad to see. Where has the fear of the LORD gone?

 

Since sin is taken seriously, there needed to be a way to atone or sanctify the people because of their inherent sin. Hence, sacrifice to atone the people.

 

I know most of you are probably thinking, "I already know my Old Testament history- I learned about the sacrifices in Sunday School." Well, hear me out. Yes, we know it, but have stopped to think how serious this is/ was? Sin is serious business, and there was serious consequences. The sacrifice to atone and cover for the sin had to be pure, and without blemish, set apart. Someone or something has to pay the penalty.

 

Now, we all know that Christ is the ultimate sacrifice, but have we stopped to realize the implications in that? Christ suffered and died- He went through so much to cleanse up, to sanctify us once and for all. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit," (1 Peter 3:18, NIV) When you read the Gospels, especially the part about His death, does it move you to tears? Does it grieve you to realize the extent of your sin, and what He went through? If we cannot be moved by His sacrifice, and take it seriously, and realize just what He did, how can we get others to be moved by what Christ did? What He did, His sacrifice is so amazing!

 

The subject of sacrifice, the gravity of it, and how serious sin is has been on my thoughts a bit lately. It is has been humbling to realize the extent of what Christ's sacrifice entails. Sin requires death...sin is serious. and Christ became the perfect sacrifice to sanctify us. Have we stopped to realize just how mind-blowing that is? Have we thanked Him for it? And, sadly, we, since we have been "saved" ,keep in sin. "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!" (Romans 6:15, NASB) Have we forgotten how serious sin is? When you read through Leviticus, and see what is required, you realize that sin is serious. Praise to Christ for His sacrifice! Why then do we not see how important it is to be holy, and not sin?

 

May we never forget Christ's sacrifice. His was the ultimate sacrifice that sanctified us all. May we realize how serious sin is! Let us strive to be holy, and set apart in honor of His sacrifice!

 

For His Glory!