Offerings And Sacrifices

Scripture

 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When any one of you brings an offering {qorban}  to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the livestock—of the herd and of the flock. If his offering is a burnt sacrifice {olah} of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord.”

Leviticus 1:2-3, NKJV

Quote

When God becomes a Man and lives as a creature among His own creatures, then indeed His life is one of supreme sacrifice leading to Calvary.

C.S. Lewis

Every sacrifice is an offering but not every offering is a sacrifice. Some offerings were for the Levites, some were for the Priest and for communal meals but an ‘olah’ [holocaust] was a whole burnt offering. The sacrifice was totally consumed by fire and the smoke and the smell ascended upward toward heaven. This symbolizes total surrender.

I know you have heard the hog and hen story. They are walking past a church and the marquee was advertising a breakfast: the Hen said to the Hog, “Why don’t we help them out, we can furnish the ham and eggs.” “Easy for you to say,’ said the hog, ‘It’s only and offering for you but for me it would be total sacrifice.”

The same difference exist between commitment and surrender. A lot of Baptist are committed; few are surrendered.

• Someone asked me how many we had at LUKE 14 and I don’t know, I didn’t count. All the tables were full but I didn’t set up the tables, the only thing I did was pick up the kids and take them home. Mandy and Tina and their helpers took care of everything. Perhaps this is the reason I enjoyed it so much.
• I finally got by to see Gary Garner: he was looking good and feeling much better, PTL. Last treatment tomorrow.
• I think Kane went deer hunting over the weekend. His grandpa Billy is an avid hunter. We are proud for Kane.
• David Orr had a knee replaced and is back at home. Joe David made that visit and he was in class last night so I didn’t get a change to talk with him.
• Gary White’s sister, Janet King, fell and has injured her spine. She is in Birmingham.
• A lot of visitors Sunday and two cards filled out, PTL plus we had some prospects at the LUKE 14 banquet.
• Shohn will be working this morning; Mandy this evening and I will be back Wednesday, LORD willing.
• I have a friend in HH/critical condition. He is a good man. Pray for Lynn Hanes. A tree feel on him. His ribs on the left side are completely severed.

SCRIPTURE

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

~Luke 2:34-35, NLT

QUOTE

When we obey God, it is going to cost those around us more than it cost us.

~Oswald Chambers

COMMENTARY

Mary watching Jesus Being Beaten

In all my education or lack thereof, until Saturday I had never had the above thought. When a disciple is in love with Jesus, he or she does not think of service to Jesus as a sacrifice. Better still, I don’t think Jesus [who made the ultimate sacrifice] thought primarily about the sacrifice He was making. I don’t recall Him using the word sacrifice in connection to His death. You and I know that it was a sacrifice, one that we cannot fathom but Jesus was so consumed with love for the Father and human kind that He endured the cross, despising the shame for the joy that was set before Him . Jesus suffered as no man has ever suffered but Simeon’s prophecy was fulfilled, Mary suffered also: a sword pierced her soul. I’m sure she would have preferred one pierce her body. I can’t imagine the grief she endured as she watched them abuse and mistreat her Son.

As I meditated upon this thought, I realized; it is not I who has sacrificed but my mother and my wife. I think Chambers has hit the proverbial nail on the head. This blog is dedicated to all pastor’s wives.

EXTRA

• What about that Sunshine and those 65* temps Saturday: and yesterday [March 2]. Can I get a shout out to the LORD: Thank You Jesus!
• Men’s Breakfast went great: Big Daddy, Catfish and Steadman did a good job. Johnny is joining the crew as a gravy maker since I bombed out.
• SON OF GOD was very moving. Like the Passion of Christ, I needed to see it but I don’t want to see it again, not anytime soon. Our sin and inhumanity to man is a sobering thing to watch. Believe it or not, I had already written the above devotion before going to the movie. It was Sunday’s post and I forgot to upload it on Sunday morning.
• I am getting aggravated at myself: I keep forgetting to take pictures when we have a POF. Luis Weaver came yesterday morning and then Walker Young made a POF at home. His mom called me Sunday evening. This good news put the icing on my cake, what a day, two POF’s. We now have three awaiting Baptism.
• I made the logo at the top using paint…If you can do better, do it and email it to me. I know someone out there can make me a colorful CELEBRATE JESUS.
• If Mary looked familiar, it was probably because you have seen her on Touched By and Angel. Her name is Roma Downey and she and her husband Mark Burnett were producers of Son of God. She is a catholic and a member of Women of Faith. She and her husband have been mocked by the unholywooders for their part in the movie. I’m telling, when HE returns and it may be soon, He will set the house in order.

Roma Downey