Faith — The Sacrifice - Thursday
TODAY’S VERSE
Hebrews 7:27
He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. (ESV)
Last week, my wife and I went to a concert. Although I’m way too embarrassed to say whose concert it was that we attended, most of you country music fans can probably guess: It rhymes with Stella Dangley.
I’m personally not a huge fan, but watching my wife dance around all evening with the joy of a nine-year-old certainly did my heart good. However, some of the folks around us unfortunately weren’t so light on their feet.
Staggering up the stairs towards us came two eastern Kentucky princesses with a tray of adult beverages, apologizing as they slid by in their leather miniskirts. Calling out to another girl in our row, one of them obnoxiously slurred, “Bethany! Your card got declined!”
Even though I’ve gotten better at controlling my tongue, I can almost never control my face. Cracking a smile, I felt my wife’s elbow dig into my rib.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not poking fun at anyone whose card gets declined (I’ve been there). But the fact that this poor girl’s friend felt the need to shout it across three rows of people was pretty hilarious. I couldn’t help it!
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!” her friend smiled. It helps to have friends who will pick up the tab.
The more you study the Old Testament, the more you will see a staggering number of people attempting to pay for the debt of their own sin. Some of these methods God temporarily allowed, such as animal sacrifice, while others He actually condemned (the sacrifice of humans). However, when it came to the debt we owed, all of these forms of payment were insufficient funds.
Luckily, as Abraham raised the knife to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, God looked at Abraham and shouted, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.”
I don’t know about you, but there are still moments when I find myself trying my best to pay God back. My sin is dirty, shameful, and embarrassing—and I convince myself that if I just do enough good things, maybe I can somehow make it all go away. But for anyone who calls on the name of Jesus, here’s the good news: He already did.
Because of what God did on our behalf, our debt has been paid by the blood of a pure and spotless lamb—the ONLY perfect sacrifice to ever live.
Our performance is an insufficient form of payment, but Jesus’ perfection has us covered.
And that’s something worth shouting.
APPLICATION
What are some ways you have focused on your own performance instead of Jesus’ perfection? Confess this to a trusted friend, then ask them to hold you accountable when they see you drifting back towards performance.
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for the perfect sacrifice You made for me. Help me to embrace the gift of Your salvation.
