Today's Journal
SACRIFICES I
In the Old Testament there were required sacrifices for sin, for purification, for reconciliation, worship and thank offerings. The required sacrifices were bulls, (red heifers, the only female cow, for spiritual cleansing), male and female sheep and goats, doves and pigeons. These were killed, bled and burned as sacrifices. They were dead sacrifices.“According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22)
In the New Testament there was one sacrifice for sin, for purification, forgiveness, reconciliation, worship and thanksgiving: Jesus.
“But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:8-14)
This sacrifice overcame death and is living in the believer. Paul, an apostle, wrote: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship” (Romans 12:1)
“He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself” (Hebrews 7:27).
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” Jesus