The Promised Landਨਮੂਨਾ

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN - Sacrifice

Not only was the Tabernacle a way for God to convene with his people, but it was a means of atonement for the Israelites. In one of his first acts as High Priest, Aaron presents a sacrifice on behalf of his own personal sin. Even as one of the holiest chosen people in Israel, he still made mistakes and sinned before the Lord.

Throughout the rest of the Old Testament, the people of Israel would continually need blood sacrifices. But after Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross, we have entered a new era. There is final justification through the work of Jesus, yet we are still called to live a life of sacrifice as Christians. As Romans 12:1 commands, “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”

Just like the Israelites struggled in the wilderness, we still face challenges in the Christian life. We constantly sin against the Lord. But by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are able to access lasting forgiveness.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• What do you think it means to be a “living sacrifice” as Christians?
• How has the sacrificial work of Jesus changed the way you deal with personal sin?