“Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people by his own blood.” Hebrews 13:12 CSB

In Leviticus, God gives directions for sacrifices. One of the five sacrifices is the sin offering. Our word sacrifice comes a Latin word that means to “make sacred.” And that was the purpose of the sacrifice, to make the sinful giver sacred so that he could come into the presence of God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus came as a man to this world to save us from our sins. Jesus died on the cross “outside the gate” where all sin offerings were burned. He became the ultimate sin offering, sacrifice, for all who would believe in Him. As believers and followers of Jesus, God sees only the righteousness of Jesus because our sins are forgiven. We have only to confess and repent and we are free from our sins. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

However, as humans we still sin and do wrong in God’s eyes. We ask for forgiveness but what sacrifices can we offer that are pleasing to God?

Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15

Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:16

Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. Psalms 51:17

 But as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving. Jonah 2:9a

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.

This week, let’s all offer our God pleasing sacrifices; praise and worship, humbled hearts and obedience, our focus on Him and thanksgiving. As we offer up ourselves to serve and love Him, let’s also give praise and thanks to Jesus for being the sin offering for each one of us.

I thank God for each one of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we offer our God pleasing sacrifices through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for all of us.

Blessings and sacredness in the presence of the Lord!

I promised to tell you a “Here I am” story from last week. The Lord brought to mind a friend I met at my first writing conference six years ago. She got remarried a few years ago and we lost touch over this past year. Instead of putting off contacting her, I sat down and wrote her an email. When that came back as “undeliverable” I was worried. But we connected first by text and then by phone. I’m glad I didn’t miss the opportunity God offered me. Here I am, Lord. Send me!