In the Old Testament the vocation of the priest was to offer the sacrifices, brought by the Children of Israel, to the Lord. These offerings and sacrifices did absolutely nothing to earn their forgiveness, rather they pointed to the price for sin and the One ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior who would gives His life, once, for all, Jesus.
Moving into the New Testament both Peter and Paul remind us that all Christians are now priests, not as in the Old Testament way, but in a new way.
Peter tells us, “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Paul tells us, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).
In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered, lambs slaughtered, animals killed, all pointing to Jesus. In the New Testament, today, because Jesus offered Himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, we no longer need to offer such bloody sacrifices. Today, however, we offer ourselves, not in a bloody suicide, but as living sacrifices. Today we live our lives as Christians showing forth the faith that is in our hearts through our living.
Just as the bloody ceremonial sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed to Jesus, so too our living lives of faith point to Jesus who lived, suffered, died and rose for us. We live and love because He first lived and loved us and for us. So, we live and love others as He lives and loves through us, as we live as priests, offering ourselves as living sacrifices.
13 of 52 © Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs (2018)
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