Tag: sacrifice

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The Father’s Love

What comes to mind when you think about the Old Testament? Irrelevant? Outdated? Boring? How many excuses have you & I used to avoid reading it? I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t apply to MY life. For several weeks now, I’ve been reading in the Old Testament. To be honest, I’m blown away at what I’ve found. I’ve been in church throughout my entire life, and maybe like some of you, I’ve heard pieces of stories, but never been able to put it together as a whole. In what I’ve read lately, I’ve come to realize that without the Old Testament, you can’t fully appreciate the New Testament, and the value of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

You’ll notice in the Old Testament, the punishment for sin was death, immediate and harsh. If you’re not careful, you’ll have yourself convinced that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. Though, we know from Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 that the Lord does not change; He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, what exactly caused the difference?

Jesus.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Jesus took upon himself the penalty for our sins so we could experience forgiveness and grace. If not for His sacrifice, your complaining, disobedience, fear, and failure to trust God would result in you missing the promised land, just like the Israelite’s. Though, because of His sacrifice, we get another chance. And another chance. And another chance. We aren’t perfect, but the one who IS took our place.

I think most of us have at least tried to wrap our heads around what God really did for us by sending His son, Jesus, to die for us. Though, admittedly, it’s a seemingly impossible feat. I have three sons that I love with my whole heart. I cannot fathom for one second sending any one of them to die for even the MOST righteous person. Imagine sending them to die for the person who cut you off in traffic last week, the coworker who constantly criticizes you, the person who broke into your home and stole from you, the person who murdered someone you love….can you imagine?

Recently, it occurred to me, God didn’t give His only son so that everyone would have a relationship with Him; He gave His only son so that everyone would have the CHOICE to have a relationship with Him. No guarantee of the relationship. To put it another way, imagine that you want to adopt, but the only way you can is by giving up your child’s life. Then, imagine giving up your child’s life for someone who then rejected you, who decided not to be adopted by you. Then, imagine knowing BEFOREHAND, that you, and the adoption, would be rejected, and STILL giving up your child. Imagine giving up your child’s life for just a CHANCE of having a relationship with someone. That’s how much He loves us.

“For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life [never being separated from God].” John 3:16

I don’t know that we can ever fully understand the sacrifice that was made for us, but through the reading of His Word, I have gotten a small glimpse. Ever since this realization, there’s been an old song in my heart on repeat.

  • How Deep the Father’s Love
  • By Stuart Townend
  • How deep the Father’s love for us 
  • How vast beyond all measure,
  • That He should give His only Son
  • To make a wretch His treasure.
  • How great the pain of searing loss –
  • The Father turns His face away,
  • As wounds which mar the Chosen One
  • Bring many sons to glory.
  • Behold the man upon a cross,
  • My sin upon His shoulders;
  • Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
  • Call out among the scoffers.
  • It was my sin that held Him there
  • Until it was accomplished;
  • His dying breath has brought me life –
  • I know that it is finished.
  • I will not boast in anything,
  • No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
  • But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
  • His death and resurrection.
  • Why should I gain from His reward?
  • I cannot give an answer;
  • But this I know with all my heart –
  • His wounds have paid my ransom.

Maybe today we can put aside our preconceived ideas and opinions, and hopefully even our excuses. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, that we may see the Father’s love revealed to us, all the way from Genesis to Revelation.

By Brandi Edwards

Visit Brandi’s Blog:

https://www.marriageandmotherhood.com/

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Worship of the Disciple

Smoke from the smoke machine had risen to the top of the arena by the time the confetti began to fall on the musicians below. The crowd swayed with arms outstretched in adoration as religious imagery flashed across a large screen situated above the drums. Anthems sung with passion proclaiming the resurrection, the awesomeness of the Almighty and the redemptive work of the Savior provoke deep emotion in my body. I can feel the hair on my arms standing up, a large knot had formed in my throat as I choke back the tears.

I am becoming overwhelmed by the majestic sense of beauty before me and it is an all too familiar feeling. It is at this moment that I hear these words spoken quietly in my heart, “Just because you think I’m beautiful doesn’t mean you are my disciple.”

Lets face it, Jesus IS beautiful. Revelation describes him as Alpha and Omega, the Righteous Judge with fire blazing in His eyes. The glory of his appearance is such that the Apostle John falls down at His feet as if he is dead! (Revelation 1:17) The radiance of His beauty is truly awesome! It is so easy to sing songs about His greatness and His great love for mankind. We can loose ourselves in the beautiful sound created by the music mingled with our voices and indeed, our emotions can and often do get the better of us.

Now, I do not want to make light of the importance of corporate worship in the lives of Christians but we err when we assume that worship is nothing more than musical or artistic expression serving to provoke an emotional response; however, throughout the entirety of the scripture worship is described as a sacrificial offering.

“Just because you think I’m beautiful doesn’t mean you are my disciple.”

In the days of the Jewish Temple music and singing accompanied the sacrifices being performed by the priests and the people were responsible for providing their offering to the service. King David in 2 Samuel 24:24 refuses Araunah’s offer the gift him the threshing floor where the Ark of the Covenant resided saying,”No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” Jesus speaks of this cost when addressing his disciples in Luke 14:27, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

With all this being said, what are the sacrifices we bring to our altars that we are calling “worship”? Does our offering consist of our admiration or our approval? Our opinions, preferences and offenses? Do we come with an offering that cost us nothing or do we offer what is holy and acceptable.

“I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your body a living sacrifice , holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1

Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for us to reconcile us to God and give us life, making way for the sacrificial offering of our very lives. This is the worship that is holy and pleasing to the Trinity. Knowing the Father through the Son as the Holy Spirit transforms our lives every day. This is the point where we become true disciples of Jesus Christ and not just members of His fan club .

By Chad Wilson