A common misunderstanding among many Christians today is the false belief that once Christ died on the cross there was no need for more sacrifices. This notion, typically based on a misreading of Hebrews 9:24–28, is specifically shown to be false by Paul. He commands the Romans not to cease offering sacrifices, but to offer living sacrifices. For Paul, the sacrifice of Christ does not do away with our need or ability to offer ourselves to God. Rather, it is the only thing that makes our sacrifice truly pleasing and acceptable to God. For we are united with Christ so deeply in Baptism and the Eucharist that our sacrifice is now pleasing to God in a unique way. It is significant to note that Paul insists we are to offer living sacrifices. In the Old Testament, the sacrifices were dead sacrifices (i.e., dead goats, cattle, sheep, and pigeons). It is not until the perfect sacrifice of Christ is offered once and for all that our sacrifices can be living offerings of ourselves, worthy and acceptable to God. Significant also is the fact (so incomprehensible in our modern, semi-gnostic culture) that Paul in no way pits the body against the spirit, or thinks of them as completely separate from one another. Paul does not say “present your spirits as a living sacrifice.” He says “present your bodies,” and declares flatly that this is our “spiritual worship.” The only way this can happen is by our incorporation into the only perfect sacrificial offering in the universe, the sacrificial offering of God the Son to God the Father in the Incarnation, life, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. This was prophesied by Malachi: Malachi 1:10-11 10 Oh, that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire upon my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. Hebrews 8:3: Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and SACRIFICES; ***thus the NECESSITY for this one also to have SOMETHING TO OFFER**. Heb. 9:1 The first covenant ALSO had its laws governing worship and its sanctuary, a sanctuary on this earth. Heb. 9:12 he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves BUT WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, thus obtaining eternal redemption. Heb. 9:23 Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified by these (old covenant) rites, but the HEAVENLY SACRIFICES themselves by BETTER SACRIFICES than these. Heb. 9:24 For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might NOW APPEAR BEFORE GOD ON OUR BEHALF. Heb. 10:25 We should not stay away from our assembly,* as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near. Heb. 10:26 * If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries. Heb. 13:10 We have an altar* from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:39:22 +0000
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