The fundamental idea of sacrifice is that of substitution. In the time of the Old Testament, which was that of the Law, offerings were made to God as an act of worship. The blood of animals was shed as atonement so that God would forgive the people of their sins (Leviticus 1:1-13; 17:11; Exodus 24:4-8). This Old Testament sacrificial system was frequently bloody, and it was necessary for the blood that was shed to come from a clean animal. The Israelites knew the seriousness of sin. The bloodiness of the sacrificial system expressed the depth of the Israelites’ desire for forgiveness and played a role as a prayer for restoration. While the old sacrificial system was valuable to the Israelites, it had no meaning or impact if there were no sincerity, or if the people’s hearts were not set right with God. Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites had failed many times in this aspect. As recorded in the New Testament, God decided that the sacrificial system by people was never going to work. Through Compassion and Grace of immense magnitude, God took the step and Jesus became the final sacrifice as the Lamb of God. This was the only way for the atonement of our sins, and the incalculable price for our salvation. It culminated in the Final Victory over death at Easter. As Christians, what then should be our response? See more here: christianitymalaysia/wp/christian-understanding-sacrifice-rituals-relationship/
Posted on: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:12:36 +0000
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