Sacrifice & The Atonement of Christ (Part 4)

I had intended to only write a three-part article on the meaning and application of sacrifice, but decided to add one more before moving on to another subject. This then, is the fourth and final part of this series on sacrifice so if you haven’t read the first three please do so before reading this one.

Christ’s sacrifice is a final chapter in God providing a way for man to be reconciled to God. The whole idea of the sacrificial system for Israel was based on forcing God’s people to face their sin squarely and not to try to hide or sweep their sin under the proverbial rug. As human beings, we are very crafty in coming up with excuses and reasons why we acted wrongly and we are forever trying to come up with excuses for our behavior. As little children, we just cry when caught and as older children, we blame everything under the sun except ourselves. When man started to lose his conscience and ability to hear the voice of God with regards to wrongful actions, God needed to make it black and white and so He gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the rest of the law. In that law, that prescribed how to live and how not to live, there was a provision to deal with wrongful behavior once it was committed. This is where the sacrificial system came into play.

Foremost in the sacrificial system was the “Day of Atonement”. This was a key concept and practice of Israel. The word atonement means “To Cover” and it was a yearly practice where a lamb was killed and the blood was shed. It was a day to humble ones self before God and each other and no work was permitted.

Leviticus 23:26-29                                                                                                                                                                                         Then the LORD said to Moses, [27] “Remember that the Day of Atonement is to be celebrated on the ninth day after the Festival of Trumpets. On that day you must humble yourselves, gather for a sacred assembly, and present offerings to the LORD by fire. [28] Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement will be made for you before the LORD your God, and payment will be made for your sins. [29] Anyone who does not spend that day in humility will be cut off from the community.”

By presenting a sacrifice for their sin, people were reminded of their wrong doing they had committed and the need to be forgiven. They also were reminded of the grace and mercy of God that they were not punished for their sin. The sacrificial system was put in place by God because he had planed that in the fullness of time Christ would become the ultimate sacrifice and offer himself for the sinful mistakes of man to be an ultimate deterrent to living rebelliously.

Hebrews 9:9                                                                                                                                                                                                      For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. 

Hebrews 9:13-15                                                                                                                                                                                         Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ritual defilement. [14] Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. [15] That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

The idea and practice of offering a sacrifice was never meant to take away sin as it was to “Atone” for sin. To cover over our bad choices and behavior and thus allow God to “Justly” forgive. Jesus said he came to be a “Ransom” for our sin or in other words an atonement for our sin.

Mark 10:45                                                                                                                                                                                                         For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

The apostle Paul, who wrote a good portion of the New Testament, penned this important verse that says that Jesus accomplished a monumental task which should be regarded as of “First Importance”.

1 Corinthians 15:3                                                                                                                                                                                                 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me—that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 

Paul goes on to say that because of what Jesus did for us we are expected to be “Christ Followers” not just in thoughts but also in deed. These deeds should now proceed out of a heart that’s motivated by love as Christ is.

Ephesians 5:2                                                                                                                                                                                                   Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.

Jesus ministry was extraordinary on many fronts. He so demonstrated the Fathers love to a lost and dying world by being a servant to that mission unto death. At the end of his earthly ministry he spoke clearly that we, his followers, were to live the same sacrificial life, allowing the Father to use us to touch others.

John 13:15-17                                                                                                                                                                                                          I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. [16] How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. [17] You know these things—now do them! 

That is the path of blessing.

Bottom line for those who call themselves “Believers and Christians” have an obligation to live like Christ and be sacrificial.

Let me be clear, lest some of us become overcome with guilt for not being the kind of servant He expects us to be and not fully living as we are called to: Jesus had the same issue of getting his disciples to get a clear picture of how they were called to live and then doing it. If you remember, the twelve were walking along one day and arguing who was the most important or the greatest amongst themselves and Jesus caught them in their stupid conversation. Look at what Jesus advised them to do about this wrong perspective:

Luke 9:46-48                                                                                                                                                                                                             Then there was an argument among them as to which of them would be the greatest. [47] But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. [48] Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

Hebrews 4:15-16                                                                                                                                                                                                        This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. [16] So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

May the Holy Spirit help us to submit to our Heavenly Father’s calling to live like Jesus and include in our lives an attitude and behavior of living sacrificially. May we be ready and willing to sacrifice where and when the Holy Spirit speaks.

Questions:

1) Are there areas that God has already spoke to us about being sacrificial? Graciously surrender to the Holy Spirit’s will.

2) Are their lifestyle adjustments we need to incorporate into our living? Trust God to empower you to move forward.

Transform us all, Holy Spirit, in to the likeness of Jesus Christ – Amen!

Pastor Dale