Offering a sacrifice was the means by which a sinful human being could gain access to a Holy GOD. All the different offerings and the manner in which they should be sacrificed is described in Leviticus chapters 1 to 7 of the Holy Bible. They are the burnt, grain, peace, sin and trespass offering. Animals, birds and grain were used for the offerings. GOD commanded Moses to instruct His people, the Israelites to keep this statute to make atonement for their sins. The sacrifices had to be offered at the altar of the Tabernacle of Meeting.
JESUS
JESUS became the perfect and complete sacrifice for us. Heb 9, 10
He offered Himself to GOD willingly as a living sacrifice. Eph 5:1-2.
He also laid down His life as the sacrificial Lamb for the sin of the whole world for all time. Phil 2:8, Heb 10:7
He was the Temple of GOD as He worshiped GOD alone. Matt 4:10, John 2:19-21, Heb 9:11
He is worshiped in heaven now and will be worshiped by all. Phil 2:10-11
He was a sacrifice without blemish. Is 53:9
He came in human flesh. His Flesh was torn and His Blood was shed.
JESUS was anointed. Acts 10:38
Frankincense was a prophetic gift at His birth. Matt 2:11
JESUS’ life of selflessness pleased GOD. Matt 3:17
JESUS’ sacrifice was once and for all, perfected forever. Heb 10:12-14
Offering a sacrifice according to The new covenant
- Now we look back at the perfect sacrifice of The Lamb of GOD.
The old path is no more functional because the new path is completed.
JESUS is the only bridge between man and GOD.
I need to offer myself willingly to JESUS. My life consists of my time, strength, talents, skills, resources and possessions. I need to know His will and do His will, forsaking the way of the world.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-3 (NKJV)
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
- JESUS offered the sacrifice that was complete and pleasing to GOD. The only sacrifice I can offer is to live my life ‘IN CHRIST.’
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
- I need to live as the temple of GOD.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Matthew 15:11 (NKJV)
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
- My offering has to be without blemish.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
and having a High Priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
- In the Old Testament eating blood was forbidden.
Leviticus 3:17 (NKJV)
'This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.' "
Leviticus 17:10-11 (NKJV)
'And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'
- Blood sacrifice means identifying myself with CHRIST.
John 6:53-56 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Colossians 3:3 (NKJV)
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- Accepting rebuke from the righteous is as oil in my offering.
Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
- Praise arising from my heart with thanksgiving is as frankincense.
Psalms 116:17 (NKJV)
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
- Having given myself to GOD, I need to live for others.
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- The attitude of my heart should be humble and repentant.
Psalms 51:16-17 (NKJV)
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise.
Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
- A complete offering - Like JESUS let me say...
Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-- (In the volume of the book it is written of Me)-- To do Your will, O God.' "
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