Good evening, Zane.
The day got away from me—and I’m not getting to this devotional sending till now—after 8pm—with the sound of rain on the roof. Both Thano and I feel fairly recovered from the bug that hit us—but Becki, although much improved, has been slower to rebound.
Sure was coolish this morning with frost all over the place. The temp reported on my phone was 34 degrees. Snow on the mountain cannot be far away.
Good night. Love and prayers. Tua (Ray)
The Old Testament Law and sacrificial system are clearly themes throughout this book of Hebrews. We definitely should rejoice and be glad that we live on this side of the cross—that we are free from the inconvenience and legalism of the OLD. Indeed we have the high privilege of participating in its fulfillment. But let us who endorse the NEW system understand that we are not exempt from sacrificing. We are still expected, even required, to offer sacrifices. They are not like the OLD kind that involved external substitutional death and shedding of innocent blood. By contrast, they are internal and flow out of a clear view of the big picture afforded us by His revelation. They are expressions from the heart of the redeemed—of gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise for the once-for-all Sacrifice of God’s Perfect Lamb. Yet they are similar in that these sacrifices (1) must be offered continually, and (2) must be substantiated by the external observable evidence of sharing one’s blessings with others and intentionally doing good to them (v. 16). Think about it.
I wish to cite verses 13 through 16 from the Message translation and allow that to be our punch line. “So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This ‘insider world’ is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of ‘sacrifice’—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.”