"Acceptable Sacrifice" February 15 Readings: Leviticus 8-9, Matthew 27:1–14, Psalm 23, Proverbs 6:1-5

Today's Readings - Leviticus 8-9, Matthew 27:1–14, Psalm 23, Proverbs 6:1-5

Devotional - Acceptable Sacrifice 

The Law specified the intricate and complicated system of sacrifices. We've been reading through these over the last three days, and if you are honest, you might admit it's not the most riveting reading the Bible offers. But it is important. God gave these sacrifices to Moses in great detail. Then God set apart the priests to administer the sacrifices, consecrated them and put them to work. Under the leadership of Aaron, they performed the offerings just as God dictated. These sacrifices and priestly procedures were God-ordained for God-designed purposes.

Then, in Leviticus 9:23-24 an amazing thing happened.

Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown on the ground.

Moses and Aaron, having offered the sacrifices God demanded, entered the tent of meeting to commune with God. They came out and delivered the blessing of God on obedient Israel. That is when it happened - two wonderful events. First, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. God's presence and power were evident - in a tangible way. God was present among his people. But the second happening was even more glorious. Fire came out of heaven and consumed the sacrifice. The people, having seen this, shouted and fell down to the ground before God. 

Fire came and consumed the offering! God had accepted the sacrifice made. 

I've got some good news for you today. There was another sacrifice made on your behalf - not by Aaronic priests but by God the Father and by our Great High Priest himself. Jesus offered not a bull or a goat, but his own body as a sacrifice for our sins. And just as the fire signified the acceptance of Aaron's sacrifice, we know that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus as the payment for our sins - all of them!  

It is finished, Jesus said. Payment in full was made and fully accepted by God. 

My sin, O the bliss of this glorious tho'tMy sin, not in part but the whole,Is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul. 

Jesus paid it all.All to Him I owe. My sin left a crimson stain,He washed it white as snow. 

Today, give thanks. Give thanks that sacrifice for your sins has been made - once for all. Give thanks that God has accepted the sacrifice Jesus made and you are accepted in heaven because of Christ. As I worship today, I will not have to offer a series of sacrifices, but simply thank God that once for all his Son offered himself to pay for all the sins of all the world. Praise God!

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the Blood shed, for the forgiveness won, for the life received, for the future sealed, for the destiny settled. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Consider today both the cost of your salvation and the completion of it. Jesus paid it all - as steep as the price was. Give thanks and praise for forgiveness. Commit yourself to Christ and to purity in light of the work Christ did.