sacrifice

The Holiest of Weeks

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

We’ve just walked through Holy Week. The last week before Jesus was crucified. It got me thinking. What did my week consist of? I bought groceries. I went to the meat shop. I did laundry. I had two chiropractor appointments. I volunteered with my Awana group at church. I went to a senior dinner at church. I attended the Good Friday service. What exactly was holy about my week?

And then I think about the week that Jesus had. It was a busy week for him. Jesus was well aware that his life was on the line. Oh. I’m not talking about his sacrificial death to redeem us from our sins. I’m talking about the threats he received from those who led the political and religious happenings of Jerusalem. His teachings had stirred up the leaders who secretly met to plot his death.

Jesus and his disciples had spent much time traveling and teaching in what could be called modern day Jordan. It was an area outside the reach of the powers of Jerusalem. There he could continue the final days of his ministry at a safe distance from where the events of the final week would occur. I guess this week could be considered the calm before the storm. I wonder if the disciples sensed a shift in his mood. Were they aware how close they were coming to the end of his earthly ministry? Or, were they all caught up in teaching and performing miracles that they didn’t realize what was ahead? It wasn’t as if he hadn’t warned them. But since his words were cloaked in mystery, they didn’t quite understand or believe him when he told them of what he would face.

As Jesus and his disciples began their trek into Jerusalem in preparation for Passover, he kept his ministry low-key. He avoided crowds, because he didn’t want to be spotted. So, when he returned to Bethany, he stayed with Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. Yes, this was the Lazarus who Jesus had earlier raised from the dead. They were close friends, and Jesus knew he needed to prepare for the path that was ahead for him. He was close enough to the epicenter of Jerusalem, yet far enough to rest in peace and quiet.

The thing is. He didn’t have to head into Jerusalem. He knew that’s where the events to end his life would take place. But he walked head on into the next week with his head held high. He walked into that week knowing that he was the Son of God, and he would fulfill his Father’s plan for his life. Even when it cost him his earthly life. He didn’t back down from what lay ahead. He didn’t try to take the easy way out. He surrendered to his Father’s will.

Palm Sunday. Jesus had instructed his disciples to have a donkey prepared for him to ride into Jerusalem. As he rode down the streets that first day of the week, the crowds waved palm branches and threw down their coats for the colt to walk on. They did this in submission to him. They recognized him for who he truly was. The long-awaited Messiah.

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9

House Cleaning Monday. Have you ever walked into a room and saw something you never expected? That’s exactly what happened to Jesus the day after the people recognized him as the Promised Messiah. Vendors were desecrating the Holy Temple. They had set up stalls and were selling their goods in the place where the Scriptures were read and discussed on the Sabbath. In the place where people came to offer sacrifices, the religious leaders had allowed commerce to replace the sacred call to worship.

Jesus knew that faith wasn’t a commodity to be bought on a Monday. He knew there was a better place to set up a farmer’s market than the Temple. It was with a righteous anger that he overturned the tables of those exchanging money. And with holy authority, he spoke words that dug deep into the hearts of those who heard. They knew exactly what he meant, and they knew their greed had been exposed.

He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:13

Teaching Tuesday. Jesus had once again spent the night in Bethany, but then returned to the city the following morning. He again went to the Temple, where he had serious debates with the Pharisees and Sadducees about many issues. He talked about taxes, and he challenged them as they questioned his authority. He shared parable after parable with the crowds, and he prophesied about how the Temple would one day be destroyed. The Sadducees questioned him about the resurrection, and Jesus silenced them with his wise response. When the Pharisees learned the Sadducees couldn’t trip up Jesus, they came and questioned him about which of the commandments was the greatest. At the end of the day, the religious leaders were quieted by his wisdom.

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. Matthew 21:45-46

And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Matthew 22:46

Betrayal Wednesday. It was Wednesday when the scene began to shift. Things took a serious turn when Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples specifically chosen by Jesus, arranged a meeting with the chief priests. I wonder if they had any suspicions about his intent when we came to them. But he opened with the door they were looking for to take down the one who always bested them with his exact teachings. They finally had an opportunity to remove the threat to the control they wielded. Oh. It wasn’t about their faith. That wasn’t even a thought. It was revenge.

They had found a traitor from within the inner circle of the man they hunted. I’m sure they rubbed their hands together with glee as they plotted his takedown. The mark was now in sight. They no longer had to hunt him down or try to trick him into blaspheming himself. One of his own had just handed him over. But what this traitor didn’t know at the time was that he had just sold his own soul to the one who could never offer redemption.

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. Matthew 26:14-16

Maundy Thursday. Jesus wanted to celebrate the Passover dinner with the Twelve, so he instructed some of them to make the arrangements for the meal. And in that upper room, as they sat and feasted, he took bread and broke it. Telling them the bread was broken in place of his body. And the wine they drank represented his blood that would be spilled. He then washed their feet in reverence and humility, showing a true servant’s heart. Oh. He told them that one who sat at the table with them would betray him. In disbelief, eleven had the fright of their lives. The twelfth one knew he had been outed. He left quietly to fulfill his plan of betrayal.

After the dinner, Jesus took three of his disciples with him to the Mount of Olives. He was greatly burdened because he knew what was ahead for him that very night. He asked his disciples to pray with him. They fell asleep instead.

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

But the night wasn’t over just yet. As he was speaking to the disciples who were with him, Judas appeared with temple guards. Judas leaned over and kissed Jesus on the cheek to show that he was the man who should be arrested.

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Or Friend, why are you here? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. Matthew 26:48-50

After seizing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the guards brought him before Caiaphas and the entire council. They were looking for false witnesses who would testify against Jesus. Of course, they found a couple of men who were willing to say anything. But Jesus didn’t respond. He kept quiet when they pressed him. And then when Jesus did speak, they accused him of blasphemy. Now. They could finally sentence him to death. This was what they had been waiting for for so long. In the middle of the night, without any rest, Jesus was forced to stand trial for crimes he didn’t commit.

But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are; the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Matthew 26:63-66

Good Friday. As soon as it was morning, Jesus was bound and turned over to Pontius Pilate, who was the governor. It was the custom to release a prisoner at this time during the Passover celebration, so Pilate thought he might be able to maneuver his way into releasing Jesus. Because. The thing is. After questioning Jesus, he realized the man was not guilty. He hadn’t committed any crime. And when he asked the crowds of people which prisoner should be released, he gave them an option. Jesus or Barabbas, a violent murderer. But the crowds had been manipulated by the religious leaders. And they wanted Jesus to pay. With his life. So they yelled for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be killed. Those who just days earlier bowed in awe at the Promised Messiah now wanted him dead. Oh. How the tide had turned.

Pontius Pilate’s wife had warned her husband to have nothing to do with Jesus. So, in an act of resignation, Pilate got a bowl of water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. As if that act alone could release him from the guilt of sending an innocent man to his death. And he submitted Jesus to the crowd’s demand for death.

The soldiers stripped Jesus of his clothes, beat him and shoved a crown of thorns on his head. Then they handed him a cross and demanded he drag it up the hill to Golgotha where they would hang him on it. Weak from the beating and loss of blood, Jesus could barely walk, let alone carry a heavy wooden cross. In a last minute effort to relieve him, someone was selected to carry his cross. But no one was hammered on the cross in his place. He hung on the cross and died in front of a small crowd of witnesses.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

As his body was taken down before the Sabbath began, a follower of Christ stepped up and offered his tomb where Jesus’ body was placed.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:57-60

Holy Saturday. It was a quiet day. It was a holy day. The Sabbath. No work was done. No celebrations. On that day, Jesus descended into Hell to proclaim victory over death. And he proclaimed freedom for righteous souls.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which the Spirit, in whom he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they did not formerly obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 1 Peter 3:18-20

Easter Sunday. Then came the morning. Day dawned and the stone rolled. Not by the strength of man, but by the power of God. And as two disciples ran to the tomb in the early morning hours, they stood in disbelief at what they saw. An angel stood by the stone that was no longer blocking the entrance. And when they looked in the tomb, it was empty. They ran to tell others. And later, Jesus appeared to a dazed Mary Magdalene who, in her confusion, didn’t recognize him. Until he spoke her name. Then she knew exactly who was standing there in front of her, alive as could be.

Jesus had risen from the dead and had walked right out of that tomb. That tomb that had held his lifeless and torn body overnight was suddenly empty. Jesus is alive!

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

Oh. There is much more to this story than what I’ve shared here. You can read the details in Matthew 21-28.

Some may wonder why I’m writing about this scene of events when Holy Week is ending. Honestly, it never crossed my mind last week to consider the events of this week in such detail. But it did this week. And I bet I’m not the only one who didn’t think of it. It’s easy to overlook the happenings of someone else’s bad week unless we see it in print or photos or read about it. But this bad week in the life of Jesus of Nazareth proved to be the best thing that has ever happened for those of us who come behind.

We are now offered redemption for our sins, because Jesus paid the price by dying on the cross. In order to receive the free gift of eternal life, we must die to ourselves and receive his forgiveness.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10

Is Your Lent Showing?

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

In case you weren’t aware, Ash Wednesday occurred this week. And if you don’t know what that is, it’s the kickoff to Lent in the Catholic (and some Protestant) churches. On Ash Wednesday, ashes are smeared in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of willing participants. Lent is then observed for forty days until Easter and consists of abstaining from something of your choice. Many people give up their favorite food or drink, or some other meaningful or not so meaningful thing in their life. For forty days, they are to avoid this chosen item.

I’ve attended a Protestant church my entire life. We never ever observed Ash Wednesday or Lent. We never gave up any type of food for forty days unless directed by a doctor. And we never had ashes in the shape of a cross smeared across our foreheads. Not to be disrespectful of anyone who observes the practice of Lent, but it’s never been an event in my life.

According to Dr. Glenn Sunshine, Lent is a period of time prior to Easter when Christians prepare themselves to commemorate Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Lent ends on Easter when we celebration his resurrection. Forty days are set aside for people to prepare their hearts, to repent, and to be ready to celebrate Christ’s victory over death.

The forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday signify the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness before he started his ministry. Which gives me pause. Many people “suffer” and give up their favorite food or drink or activity, or whatever it is that they lean on for these forty days. Here’s the kicker. After their forty days of fasting, what ministry do they start? What ministry do we as Christians dive into as a celebration of our denying ourselves for forty days? Or, do we just gorge ourselves to break the fast of the favorite thing we’ve given up?

Someone says Lent isn’t a moment of forced piety, but isn’t it? Why wait until a certain time of year to abstain from something that has a stronghold on your life? If God doesn’t need Lent, then why do we? If Lent is for us, then why wait until forty days before Easter to check our spiritual pulse? Shouldn’t we be doing that on a daily and weekly basis? Shouldn’t we be fellowshipping with other believers on a weekly basis, anyway? Why would we give ourselves only forty days out of the year to pause and ask the Holy Spirit what is most needed in our lives? Shouldn’t we do that regularly?

Some churches are now offering drive-thru ashes, so you don’t have to get out of your car. There is no service even at some churches. You just walk in and get a smear of ashes on your forehead. No reminders of what you are observing. No encouragement to abstain from something truly sacrificial. Why do some people believe the act of ashes on the forehead and abstaining from something for forty days is sacred? What part is sacred? The act of smearing the ashes is seen as a holy moment, but it seems to be a meaningless ritual for the sake of tradition. Because as soon as the person drives or walks away from that oh so sacred moment, do they act holy the remainder of the day?

As believers of Jesus Christ and his resurrection, we must be in the habit of dying to ourselves daily, not just for forty days each year. And if the only thing we deny ourselves during that forty days is chocolate or alcohol, well is that really a sacrifice? It’s time we take a deep dive into the practice of being a self-denying believer every day of every year, not just for forty days of the year.

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

Just as Jesus fasted for forty days, we are told to do the same for these forty days, but we give up only one thing of our choice. And Jesus walked away from his desert experience stronger than ever in spirit. He felt a closeness with his Father that no one could take from him. Oh sure. Satan came along during that time and tempted him greatly. He tempted Jesus’ hunger by telling him to turn a stone into bread. Then he took him to the top of the Temple and suggested he jump off, because angels would protect him. Wouldn’t they? And then Satan showed him all the kingdoms of the world and promised them to him if Jesus would only bow down to him. Jesus strongly rebuked him with each temptation, and with the final one Jesus commanded him to leave. Angels came and cared for him. During his forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus relied solely on God the Father.

You can read this entire story at Matthew 4:1-11.

I have to ask those who observe Lent. Do you walk away from your experience feeling close to God because you didn’t scroll through social media for those forty days? Or did the lack of caffeine give you a sense of God’s presence when you didn’t drink your daily cappuccino? When you didn’t swipe your credit card for forty days, did you feel the holiness of God’s spirit surrounding you? Did you deny yourself that favorite thing and then tell Satan to flee after he tempted you to give in to it? Or did you give in?

Do we see Lent only as a liturgical ritual?  Does it hold any true significance to the believer today if on day forty-one nothing about us has changed? If so, why observe Lent? It isn’t a requirement for salvation, and it isn’t mentioned in the Bible. I know. It’s a part of the historic church calendar, and it’s part of the liturgical year in some denominations. Is it used as a crutch for some to show they’re able to refrain from their favorite activity for a little over a month each year? If observed properly and sacredly, could Lent actually provide personal benefit and spiritual growth?

For those who are believers in the One True God, isn’t suffering supposed to make us more holy and move us closer to God? Who, after suffering through forty days without chocolate, feels more holy than they did when they ate the last bite the day before their abstinence began? I don’t mean to disrespect the practices and observances of other denominations, but what I’ve seen and heard over my years of life is that people just give up something for forty days that they could easily live without. They aren’t really sacrificing. And if the only thing that is done is a swipe across the forehead without attending a service commemorating the meaning and beginning of Lent, then what’s the purpose?

And now I see that some Protestant churches are starting to observe Ash Wednesday and Lent. Why? Why is this practice creeping into other denominations who once ignored it? Why the ashes on the foreheads of some Christians? What has caused the shift? And is this shift causing Christian churches to allow other nonbiblical practices to inch their way into other areas of the church? Are churches promoting the act of gaining God’s approval by some petty sacrifice rather than through God’s plan of salvation? Because, if so, it won’t work. God’s approval is received by confessing our sins and repenting of them. We can’t gain God’s forgiveness by giving up something we’ll take back in forty days.

If you attend a church that has now begun to observe these rituals, you might want to ask yourself why. Better yet. Ask your pastor why. What has caused him to decide that observing Ash Wednesday and Lent has anything to do with Christianity?

Oh sure. It’s admirable to deny ourselves an item we love from time to time, but it never takes the place of dying to ourselves daily so we can become more like Jesus.

To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. ~Oswald Chambers

Sacrifice of Thanks

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The Israelites lived a life of rituals. It was their lot in life. Mainly because God had commanded a life of physical and spiritual purity. There were many laws and customs that the Israelites were required to follow. Some were for keeping physically clean, most likely for health reasons. Other laws were for spiritual purposes. After all, the Promised Messiah had not been delivered to the earth, so they had no Savior. Their sins were forgiven by offering animal sacrifices.

And sometimes, it was easy to sin and just offer a sacrifice without being truly sorry for the wrong that was committed. Just kill a cow and your sin will be forgiven. That was the thought in some people’s minds. But God saw their hearts. He knew they weren’t truly sorry. And he called them out on it.

He reminded them that he owns all the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns every bird on the mountains. So he doesn’t really need their sacrifices. He doesn’t let them know when he’s hungry, because he’s not human. He doesn’t need food to sustain himself. He needs their obedience and allegiance. He wants their sacrifice to be thankfulness. Their thankfulness emphasizes what God has done for them, not what they’ve done for God.

I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Psalms 50:8-14

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Oh. How that still stings today. God sees our hearts. He knows our bent toward sinning. He sees the rituals that we cling to so we can call ourselves Christian. Sure. We go to church. We give our tithe. We volunteer to serve in church ministries.

But the question is. Are we offering our “rituals” with a pure heart? When we walk through the church doors on Sunday, are we there out of love and thankfulness? Are we there to worship God and stand in His presence? Are we there to fellowship with other believers? Or is it just a habit that we haven’t yet broken? Is it only a social gathering? When we tithe, is it because the bill is set to autopay without a second thought? Or do we give sacrificially because of our desire to help spread the gospel? Are we giving a gift of thanksgiving for God’s provision? When was the last time we asked ourselves if we were giving cheerfully or just out of duty? When we accept the cup and bread of communion, is it an act of reverence and honoring of Jesus’ broken body? Or is it a ritual we’ve come to expect on Sunday? Is it an impersonal act we perform without considering the sacrifice of God’s only Son on the cross for our sins? Do we perjure ourselves by presenting our unclean selves as holy before a God who knows our hearts?

If we’ve lost the joy of being a Christian, how can we turn our hearts around? How can we fall in love with giving our tithe and not feel like it’s a drain on our finances? How can we reclaim the deep burning desire to be in church worshipping with fellow believers every Sunday? What will it take to get excited about serving God in the church again? How do we reclaim the joy and thankfulness we experienced as new believers?

Perhaps it time to stop and renew our relationship with God. Perhaps our fire has burned out, because we’re not putting God first. If God cares so much about the animals, he cares much more about we who are made in his image. God does not need anything from us. He accepts our offerings. And our service. And our worship. He commands we honor him. But rituals won’t satisfy him. He wants our hearts. He wants our confession. He wants our obedience. Our allegiance. Our trust. He wants our full surrender to his will. He wants our sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Does he have it?

Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn. Deuteronomy 10:16

Put to the Test

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He had waited years for an heir. God had told him multiple times that he would be the father of many nations. And at age one hundred, the promise was fulfilled. His son was born. Isaac. Born of Sarah, who was ninety. This son held great promise for the future. There was hope, because the family name would be carried on. Oh. How proud Abraham must have been.

And several years later, God put Abraham’s faith to the test. He instructed Abraham to sacrifice this son as a burnt offering. What?! And Abraham did exactly as he was told.

You can read the full story about Abraham’s obedience in Genesis 22.

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead. Hebrews 11:17-19

How many of us have seen the fulfillment of God’s long-awaited promise? Regardless of what was promised, the wait was excruciating. We thought the wait would never end. But we knew we had a clear promise from God. He led us down this path. Now he would fulfill his promise. Wouldn’t he? Wouldn’t he?

And then one day the promised event actually came to pass. Our hearts were filled with happiness and wonder. Relief. Confirmed trust in our Maker. We got the job. A baby was born. The lab results were negative. The debt was fully paid. The bank account was overflowing. Life was good.

And then another day came. And God asked for that promised thing or that promised person to be laid on the altar. He asked us to give the promised gift back to him. For his use. He asked us to sacrifice the gift that was so long awaited. And now we’re being asked to return it? What? To hand it over, as if it’s no longer ours?

But that gift was an answer to a long-prayed prayer.

God asks for our simple obedience. All the time. In every situation. Sometimes, obedience may feel complex rather than simple. But it’s either a Yes or No that God is looking for. That’s the simple part. It gets all complex and uncomfortable when we have to put that Yes into motion. Because that takes the control out of our hands. And we don’t know what God has in store for us when we give Him control.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6

Oh. God wasn’t planning to kill Isaac. He wanted to make sure Abraham was not making an idol out of Isaac, this long-awaited son. God tested Abraham’s faith. God may ask the impossible of us. What will we say? Will we surrender our most prized possession? Will we turn our long-awaited treasure back to God to use as he sees fit?

Or do we take that treasure and hide it? Do we hoard our treasured gift?

There are those who run from hard times. They take the easy road. Or they just ignore the request to make a sacrifice. But Abraham walked right into the face of obedience. Perhaps it was the hardest thing he had ever done. He loved his son. But he never looked back.

He took his son on a journey to worship God. A sacrifice was required. And his son knew it. But no lamb was taken on the trip for the offering. Isaac asked about it. Abraham replied that God would provide. And later when Abraham tied his son with rope and laid him on the altar, I wonder what Isaac was thinking.

I wonder the thoughts swirling through Abraham’s mind as he drew the knife to slay his son. Oh. He was willing to offer his promised heir if that’s what God required of him. But God stepped in and told Abraham not to harm his son. God saw that Abraham was willing to give up his beloved son, if that was what God asked. And in the distance, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. The sacrifice was provided by God. Isaac, the long awaited son, was saved.

Abraham responded to God in faith. Not knowing the outcome, he moved in step with God’s heartbeat. He was ready to sacrifice what was dearest to him in a courageous show of loyalty to God. I have to ask. Would I be willing to do the same? Would I be willing to hand over the thing or the person most dearest to me in an act of selfless love for my Savior?

We don’t know what we may be called to sacrifice. It may be financial security. Or a close relationship. It may be a fulfilling career. Or our dream home. A prized possession. Our freedom. Our health. Are we willing to sacrifice for obedience to God? Because if God isn’t first in our lives, is he in our lives?

What Brings Me to Tears

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There are certain events and experiences that bring me to tears.  Events that make me proud.  Actions that show respect to power and authority.  Experiences that are personal and meaningful.

I think of a bride.  Walking down the aisle on her father’s arm.  See the white dress.  The bouquet.  The veil.  The vows.  The kiss.  The anticipation of a life together.   The respect of the sanctity of marriage.  My eyes well up with tears.

I hear the national anthem.  The Star Spangled Banner.  I see the flag rise above the crowd.  People stand.  Right hand over their heart.  Pride in our country.  Thankful for freedom.  Respect for the courage of battles fought.   My eyes well up with tears.

I have served on jury duty.  I have been a juror.  People in the court room stand each time the jurors enter and exit the court room.  All conversations and activities cease.  All eyes are on the jury.  The group of twelve who will decide someone’s fate.   They know the power of this group.  They respect the sacrifice the jury is making to perform their civic duty.  The weight of the decision is in their hands.  My eyes well up with tears.

I have driven in a funeral procession.  Loss of a loved one.  Near and dear to my heart. People standing along the street.  They stop and pay respect.  Remove their hats.  Stop mowing their lawn.  Stand still for someone they’ve never met.  Traffic stops and lets the stream of cars interrupt their busy day.  They respect the loss of a loved one.  My eyes well up with tears.

I think of the man who died on the cross.  For me.  For you.  I think of his sacrifice.  He died willingly.  To save every sin everyone born on this earth has ever committed.  So we can enter heaven’s gates. So we can see Him face to face.  His mercy is new every day.  His love and compassion are never ending.  His sacrifice is our eternity.  My eyes well up with tears.

In Christ Alone.