PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“A burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.” (Leviticus 1:17)
How can all these sacrifices be “an aroma pleasing to the Lord”???
And yet, “I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.” (Isaiah 1:11)
Was God really pleased by this ugly, disturbing destruction of life?
“Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
God did not WANT Jesus to die a sacrificial death, but God did value it.
God did not enjoy the crucifixion, but God loved the selfless act of love.
Sacrifice represents killing self-pleasure, denying self for the sake of another.
Sin is an ugly violent distortion, sacrificing everyone and everything for my pleasure.
We sacrifice everyday, but how much is for ourselves, how much for God and others?
The OT sacrifices were an ugly and dramatic reminder of how awful sin is.
They also pointed to the kind of sacrifice needed to break free from sin.
Jesus loved God and us more than himself, sacrificing himself to free us, and this pleased God.
As a Jesus follower I am called to sacrifice myself for God and others (Romans 12:1-2).
“Do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
PRAYER
Lord, death and blood do not please God. The death of sin and the sacrifice of love do! Help me to change my sacrifices for selfish pleasure into the kind of sacrifices of self that please God.
Obeying the law – also follow the recipe for presenting offerings to the Lord. We are not to be casual in honouring/worshiping our God. Abel’s offering was blessed because he chose from the best of his flocks. Worshipping, presenting an offering, anything we do must be done with the utmost respect because our God is most holy and worthy of our heart given worship – in heart, soul and mind – everything. God’s people had to follow a precise recipe when they worshipped – they had to follow the details – their care is part of their devotion to God. How am i devoted to God? How to I present myself? Am I too casual as times? Yet Jesus makes it less of a gap. He is my friend – but Jesus is still awesome and holy. HS help to offer my worship praise and service with all my heart – I desire to do so. Thank Jesus for opening up the way to the Father through your righteousness – but help me not to get disrespectful and casual – you are God!
The offerings were pleasing unto the Lord. The people were to follow His instructions – living His way – pleasing the Lord. My life must also be pleasing unto the Lord. I am not my own but belong to my Saviour. All that I am I owe to Thee and how I daily live needs to be pleasing unto the Lord. Not my will, but Your will be done in my life. All for Jesus. I am His and He is mine. Lord, help me to put You first in all I say and do.
1 All that I am I owe to Thee;
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me.
I give my Maker thankful praise,
whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
2 Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
my life in all its perfect plan
was ordered ere my days began.
3 Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
more precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
awaking I am still with Thee.