Jesus' Most Difficult Words

Prelude

The most difficult words Jesus ever spoke are NOT the ones that are hard to understand, but the ones that are easy to understand and hard to obey. Because being a true follower of Jesus is so difficult, early Christians took time before the most important season of the Christian year to fast and pray. We call it lent, an old English word for spring. Others call it the Quadragesima, forty days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Purpose: Let’s take time before Easter to value Jesus’ most difficult words.

Plan: Let’s look at Mark 8:27-38 and our call to a selfless life.

Mark 8:29 Anointed for What

In Mark 8:29 Jesus asked his students, “Who do [you-all] say I am?” Peter correctly answered: Christ or Messiah (meaning the anointed one). For Jesus, that meant suffering and death on the cross, giving His life for the world. Angrily, Peter didn’t want to hear it. That is what being the anointed one means. And anyone who follows Christ must likewise be willing to give themselves serving others. Counterfeit Christianity claims to be spirit-filled, but is self-centered, materialistic, focusing on personal spiritual experiences instead of serving others and accumulating wealth for self instead of giving it away for others. Christ gave up the self in order that others may live.

Mark 8:33 Things of God

Lent began in the early church to prepare for Resurrection Sunday. Christians focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As people thought over Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness it made sense to take time before Easter learning to be more mindful of the things of God. Some observe Lent in the letter of man-made rules, but not in the spirit. Lent is a multitude of counsel from a cloud of witnesses who left us a legacy, an annual opportunity to rethink our lives. It is a season for solitude, extra prayer, fasting, giving to the less fortunate and learning again to be “mindful of the things of God.” (Mark 8:33)

Mark 8:34 Self

Selfishness is the road to mental illness, evil acts and death in hell. Our nation builds altars of self-worship filled with idols of self-gratification. We cannot all build our own Trump Towers, or have a hundred million dollar trust fund for our children, but the idolatry of self expresses itself in thousands of other ways. The delusion guarantees misery and loneliness. In Mark 8:34 Jesus gave the antidote, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” The antidote is simple, deny self, take up our cross, think of others, sacrifice for others, be focused on how we can serve others.

Mark 8:35 Selflessness

In Mark 8:35 Jesus stated one of life’s greatest conundrums, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” This sounds like a lie, but a selfish life is a dead life. The only worthwhile work is in giving not getting. By giving we gain the whole world. Certainly, giving up our lives is not a popular message, but according to Jesus, it is the way to save our lives. True riches are the people we sacrifice to serve. True success is rejecting selfish living. True celebrity is being written in the book of life.

Mark 8:36 Real Heroes

In Mark 8:36 Jesus asks, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Real heroes make great sacrifices for others like soldiers, firefighters, police who protect and serve, missionaries and volunteers who serve the needy. If a one-time sacrifice is to be praised, what about a lifetime of sacrifice? A theology professor asked his students to look out the window at the school of medicine and the school of law. He then said that those graduating from those schools would make many times more than a pastor, but serving Christ is where the true riches are. What do we choose?

Mark 8:37 Your Soul

“My job, my house, my team, my lifestyle, my inheritance, my church, my world.” Does any of this sound familiar? It ought to. We all tend to be selfish. We are more about getting than giving. In Mark 8:37 Jesus asks, “what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” We have spent a lifetime steeped in the propaganda and culture of the devil. It even enters the church as a counterfeit gospel of self-interest rather than self-sacrifice and selling our souls to the devil so we can “live our best life now.” Counterfeit Christianity is ashamed of Jesus and his words. Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark 8:38 Narcissistic Christianity

In Mark 8:38 Jesus says, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Narcissism is extreme selfishness. Narcissistic Christianity is a very popular counterfeit. It teaches a selfish life and the materialistic things of earth, not the things of heaven. It is ashamed of Jesus and His words, substituting the road to hell. True Christianity is the exact opposite of materialistic, narcissistic counterfeits preached by certain televangelists. True Christianity is turning from selfishness, taking up our cross and following him.

Postlude

Let us take time before the most important feast of the Christian year to fast, pray and give to the needy in our community, but above all let’s heed Jesus’ call to sanity, by taking up our cross and denying the insanity of selfishness.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Time Apart

Prelude

What does fasting have to do with anything? Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent?

Purpose: Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives.

Plan: We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15.

Mark 1:10 The Dove

Why is the Holy Spirit pictured as a dove? It could mean any columbine, a dove or pigeon. At Jesus’ baptism, “He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.” (Mark 1:10) Noah sent a dove (Genesis 8:8-12) and similarly the Holy Spirit tells us if things are safe. Spiritually, we fly away on the wings of a dove to find rest (Psalm 55:6). Marital love is undefiled like a dove (Song 5:2; 6:9) and God sends His love to us in the Holy Spirit. A dove is harmless (Matthew 10:16) and the Holy Spirit brings to us no harm.

Mark 1:12 Wilderness Times

Are wilderness times good? After Jesus’ baptism, “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.” (Mark 1:12) The Holy Spirit can also lead us into solitary places to rest and prepare us for greater events to come. Jesus had a wonderful baptism experience followed by forty days of loneliness in the Judean outback (Mark 1:12). Does Jesus’ wilderness experience teach us something about how to handle our own down times? What do we do in wilderness experiences? They are times to slow down and wait for the mighty hand of God. As God was with the Patriarchs and Jesus let’s relax and await His revelation for the next step.

Mark 1:13 Wilderness Experiences

What happened in Jesus’ wilderness experience? “He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” (Mark 1:13) It’s like Noah’s forty days of rain, Israel’s forty years of wandering, Moses’ forty days on Sinai, forty days of scouting the Land, forty years of peace under several righteous judges, forty days of mocking by Goliath, Elijah’s forty days in the wilderness, and forty days between Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. Many Christians follow Isaiah’s admonitions during Lent, fasting to pursue justice, set people free, share food with the hungry, house the homeless, and cover the naked (Isaiah 58).

Mark 1:15 A Near Kingdom

In Mark 1:15 Jesus announced: “the kingdom of God is at hand.” What does that mean? The kingdom of God is both future and now, both here and almost here. We allow God to change our hearts and trust His sovereignty. To gain citizenship of a country in this world, we usually need to actually live their for a while. We become citizens of heaven before we get there as we submit to His loving authority. How do we complete the journey? We need a way. Jesus is the way to heaven. When entering a new country of this world, we go through an official gate. Jesus is our gateway.

Repent

Why did Jesus say, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15)? The time of Messiah had come. What did He mean by repentance? Repent of immorality (Revelation 2:21), of impurity (2 Corinthians 12:21), and be baptized (Acts 2:38), turn to God (Acts 3:19), repent of wickedness (Acts 8:22), be zealous (Revelation 3:19), turn to God and prove repentance by our deeds (Acts 26:20), and believe (Mark 1:15), at the preaching (Matthew 12:41; Luke 11:32), repent of our deeds (Revelation 16:11) and give God glory (Revelation 16:9).

Believe

Jesus said, “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15), not repent and keep the letter of the law. Humanity fails God’s perfect law. One year the United States government added 80,000 pages of legislation. It is impossible to keep every law. Excessive laws make us criminals and slaves (Galatians 4:21-31). Moses' law makes us sinners (Romans 5:20-21). Human law has its place in controlling evil (1 Timothy 1:8-11) but the letter of the law fails. Laws cannot cover every loophole. Where law fails, a change of heart and a belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ lead us towards the real answer (Mark 1:15).

Outro

As Jesus took 40 days for time apart to prepare for His earthly mission, let us take the forty days of Lent to rededicate our lives to God. Let quiet times apart for meditation, fasting and reflection bring us closer to God preparing us for the mission set before us this year.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Mark 1:9-15; Genesis 8:8-12; Psalm 55:6; Song 5:2; 6:9; Matthew 10:16; Isaiah 58; Revelation 2:21; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 8:22; Revelation 3:19; Acts 26:20; Mark 1:15; Matthew 12:41; Luke 11:32; Revelation 16:11; Revelation 16:9; Galatians 4:21-31; Romans 5:20-21; 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Religious Exhibitionism

Prelude

How should we give in public? How should we pray in public? How should we fast in public? Purpose: Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship. Plan: Let’s look Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 and Jesus’ discussion of public religious duties.

Matthew 6:1-4 Public Giving

Jesus said to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16), but then he said, “do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.” (Matthew 6:1). Is there a contradiction? The key is our motive. Is our purpose to show off or give God the glory? If our desire is to boast, better to give anonymously. If our motive it to glorify our Father in heaven or that others may believe (John 11:41-42), good. If we are in doubt about our motive, it may be better to give in secret.

Matthew 6:5-6 Public Prayers

Why did Jesus teach us “when you pray, go into your room”? He prayed in public. But, his motive was that they may believe (Matthew 14:19; John 11:41-42). Our public prayers may never be totally devoid of wrong motives. Public prayers can be manipulative, gossipy, tedious, trite, irrelevant, repetitive and even self-righteous. Yet, prayer is important. Churches are houses of prayer. Jesus taught us not to pray like hypocrites whose motives were to be seen. Public prayer is a necessary and difficult task for imperfect humans. So, we pray in humility knowing that our thoughts will not be perfect like Jesus’ and we must overlook each other’s faulty prayers.

Matthew 6:16-18 Public Fasting

Fasting has been used for religious purposes, political manipulation and weight control. Health benefits of fasting are disputed. Jesus entered the debate affirming that Christians fast, “when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance.” After Jesus fasted we are told that he was hungry, not thirsty. It is apparent that he did take fluids. Those 40 days gave rise to the Christian tradition of Lent, a period of prayer, abstinence and almsgiving before Resurrection Sunday. Most Christians do not fast as Jesus did, but abstain from something that is symbolic of fasting. Throughout the year, Christians take an occasional day to fast and pray in private.

Matthew 6:19-21 Private Getting

Wealth does not indicate spirituality. Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” He did not teach a lifestyle of acquisitions. Society worships those with wealth. Jesus taught the opposite, to give to the needy, pay generous wages, and make fair business deals. Where our money is, reveals where our hearts are. We must make a choice. Do we use money as a tool for good, or do we worship it as an idol? How we invest our treasures on earth is directly linked to how great our reward in eternity will be. Are we investing in heaven or earth?

Postlude

Pure religion involves properly motivated giving, prayer and fasting. What’s in our hearts? What motivates us?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2007. Print.

Wilkins, Michael J. Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004. Print.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21; Matthew 5:16; John 11:41-42; Matthew 14:19

God’s Plan for Economic Freedom

Prelude

Are there national economic principles in the Bible? Does God believe in economic equality? Is there a biblical basis of economic equality? Purpose: Let’s look at one of the most wonderful economic laws ever written and its implications for us. Plan: Let’s look at the Jubilee, how it could bring great national blessings, and what it pictures for our eternity.

Leviticus 25:1-7 Sabbatical Year

Imagine saving up to take a year off every seven years. The land sabbath was enshrined in God’s law, “in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord.” (Leviticus 25:4) The soil remained untilled. The people trusted God for a bountiful harvest in the sixth year. The people were reminded that God is the landlord and we are the tenants. The people were taught generosity to both staff and stranger. Debts were canceled (Deuteronomy 15:1-2). Leisure time was to be devoted to the study of God’s word (Deuteronomy 31:10-11) and for neighbors to rejoice with their children.

Leviticus 25:8-24 Jubilee Year

The seventh land sabbath flowed into the fiftieth year, the Jubilee, a year of release. Land could be leased until the Jubilee Year, but then had to be given back to the original owners. Slaves to debt would have their debts terminated. This is greater freedom than exists in the “land of the free.” “And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.” (Leviticus 25:10) This is a market correction from outside the market, an end of oppression (verse 17). The Jubilee pictures our everlasting Sabbath, all wrongs being righted, restoration to our rightful places, freedom from the oppression of sin.

Leviticus 25:25-28 Treatment of the Poor

Reagan’s Reaganomics and Clinton’s financial deregulation gave middle-class incomes to the wealthy. Middle-class incomes should be 50-100% higher than they are, but poverty is increasing. The greatness of a nation is not measured in the might of its armies, or the size of its gross domestic product, but by how it treats its poor. The Jubilee cries, “loose the bonds of wickedness… undo the heavy burdens… let the oppressed go free… break every yoke… share your bread with the hungry… bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him… Then your light shall break forth like the morning” (Isaiah 58:6-8).

References: After Tax Income by Income Group, 1979-2007, Historical US Income Inequality, How the Middle Class Became the Underclass, Income Inequality in the United States

An Ethical Law

Albino Barrera writes in his book Economic Compulsion And Christian Ethics, “A Jubilee year was to be proclaimed every fifty years during which land was returned to its original owners, debt was written off, and those in bondage were released (Lev. 25).” “The Promised Land was divided with great care in which the allotment took into account the soil’s fertility and family size... ancestral land served the practical value of enabling every household to maintain its freedom and independence by providing for itself. Thus, the Jubilee Law… and the numerous admonitions to redeem family land had their practical utility in ensuring that households supported and sustained themselves through their own efforts.”[1]

Some Considerations

The Jubilee proclaimed liberty in: returning to the family inheritance, freedom from debt slavery, and a rest from farming for a year.[2] This is not redistribution of land. It was already distributed fairly across Israel. Land could be leased up to fifty years and people could sell their labor in debt slavery, indentured servitude. Jubilee is not a principle of “income equality” but “asset equality,” or better “equality of opportunity.” The income derived from those equally distributed resources would depend on a number of factors such as health, work ethic, ability, peace and so on. Jubilee symbolizes setting free from the bondage of sin and practical Christian love of neighbor.

Postlude

The Catholic Encyclopedia[3] gives several advantages of the Jubilee Year, which can be abbreviated: it prevents the few accumulating and hurting the rest; nobody should be born poor, since everyone had hereditary land; it prevents the rich bullying the poor; it provides an end of slavery to debt; it provides fresh opportunities to begin life again; it prevents the scourge of class bigotry, and preserves society.

Such a perfect law would bless any nation with justice, individual freedom and guarantees of economic fairness. Above all, it foreshadows the wonderful hope of our future inheritance that nobody will ever take away from us. “In My Father’s house are many [dwelling places]” (John 14:1-3) and “everyone shall sit under his [own] vine and under his [own] fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid” (Micah 4:4)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 15:1-2; Deuteronomy 31:10-11; Isaiah 58:6-8

[1] Barrera, Albino. Economic Compulsion And Christian Ethics. n.p.: Cambridge University Press, 2005. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). p. 82, 167. Web. 23 Nov. 2012.

[2] Nicoll, W. Robertson. The Expositor’s Bible. A. C. Armstrong & Son. 1903. 495.

[3] Oussani, Gabriel. "Year of Jubilee (Hebrew)." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 6 Feb. 2018 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08534a.htm>

Worship Principles from Leviticus, Part 2

Prelude

Should Christians have a worship calendar? Should we use the worship calendar from ancient Israel? How can we celebrate great events of Christ’s ministry? Purpose: Let’s look at principles of a worship calendar. Plan: We’ll discuss Leviticus 23, Romans 14 and the Christian worship calendar.

Leviticus 23 Worship Calendar

Leviticus 23 was Israel’s annual worship calendar. Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread commemorated the Exodus, foreshadowing the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world. 50 days later, Pentecost remembered the law and foreshadowed the law written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The blowing of Trumpets pictured judgment, announced a special assembly and foreshadowed the Second Coming of Christ. The Day of Atonement was a fast day for the cleansing of sins and reconciliation with God. The Feast of Tabernacles reminded Israel of the 40 years wandering, foreshadows the final harvest of souls and Jesus who tabernacled with us, by coming in the flesh.

Romans 14 Calendar Choices

Romans 14:5-6, 10, 13 gives principles about worship days. “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it… But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ… Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”

Judaizing and Romanizing

Judaizing was an attempt by Jewish converts to enforce Jewish traditions upon Gentiles (Galatians 2:14). It made things such as circumcision, worship days and dietary requirements prerequisites to salvation. One could argue that Romanizing did the exact same thing from a Gentile point of view, making Roman Christian traditions prerequisites to salvation. Romans 14 helps us understand that we have freedom to eat as we choose, and set aside worship days of our choice, and we may not boss others around by our worship preferences. As the Hebrew calendar celebrated ancient events, so Christian calendars celebrate the life of Christ, but any such days are not mandated for the Church.

Easter and Passover

Easter is Passover in most languages. Early Christians continued celebrating the 14th day of the first month, but it could occur on any day of the week. Some preferred Thursday through Sunday, the same days of the week each year. Rather than tolerating both opinions, division and the “Quartodeciman Controversy” occurred. The principles of Romans 14 allowed a change of observance, even including our current Easter calendar. Some few Christians still observe the Hebrew calendar and they are free in Christ to do so. Mandating either is contrary to Paul’s instructions in Romans 14. Christians prefer highlighting, in their celebrations, the Resurrection of our Lord, and that is a good thing.

Pentecost

Pentecost is 50 days from the Sunday during Passover. A “sheaf of the firstfruits” (Leviticus 23:10) hinted at Easter Sunday and “firstfruits to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:20) were also offered on Pentecost. Pentecost is also the Feast of Weeks, counting seven weeks, and “the day of the firstfruits” (Numbers 28:26). Firstfruits pictures “Christ the firstfruits” (1 Corinthians 15:23) and we “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:23). Pentecost celebrates the giving of the law on Mount Sinai and the law being written on men’s hearts through coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2; Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 2:15; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16).

Tabernacles and Christmas

The Spring festivals commemorated Christ’s first coming and Autumn festivals prepared for His Second Coming. The “memorial of blowing of trumpets” announced “a holy convocation.” (Leviticus 23:24) The ram’s horn announced an alarm or a celebration. (Numbers 10:9) Trumpets announce Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:31; I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 8). The Day of Atonement pictures reconciliation through the cross and resurrection (Romans 5:11). The Feast of Tabernacles pictures our earthly abode as a temporary dwelling and our hope of a permanent abode with God (2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:1; Psalm 103:15-16). Interestingly, Christmas celebrates when God tabernacled with us in Christ.

Postlude

Some Christians celebrate great events and heroes of our faith every week of the year, while others only celebrate the three major seasons. Romans 14 gives us permission to celebrate various alternative worship days. The most important thing is that we do worship God and not judge between our various traditions. “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’” (Romans 14:10-11)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Leviticus 23; Romans 14; Romans 14:5-6, 10, 13; Galatians 2:14; Numbers 28:26; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Romans 8:23; Acts 2; Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 2:15; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; Numbers 10:9; Matthew 24:31; I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 8; Romans 5:11; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:1; Psalm 103:15-16

Worship Principles from Leviticus, Part 1

Prelude

The book of Leviticus is about worship. Can Christians, who worship in a very different manner from ancient Israel, learn anything about worship from the book of Leviticus? What are important principles of worship from Leviticus?

Purpose: Let’s learn to worship God from the first inspired worship book.

Plan: Let’s take part 1 of a journey through the book of Leviticus, teasing out important worship principles.

Leviticus 1 Burnt Offering

God spoke to Moses in Leviticus 1 about the burnt offering. It pictures Jesus’ total sacrifice and giving ourselves entirely to God. Rich and poor must offer something. Worship should not be sloppy but organized. God expects the best we have. These are private freewill offerings, but given in public worship (verse 3). The fire pictures the Holy Spirit cleansing us from sin. Without this substitute burnt sacrifice, an atonement for sins, God will not accept our lives (verse 4). It was to be an unblemished male offering, because it pictures Jesus, the Lamb of God. Because of the cross, God accepts our lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

Leviticus 2 Grain Offering

The grain offering in Leviticus 2 was of fine flour. We should produce the finest work, offering the product of our work to God. Olive oil pictures the Holy Spirit, consecrating our secular work as an act of worship. It was seasoned with salt a symbol of the covenant (verse 13). Frankincense for incense, pictures prayer. Our secular work covered with prayer, is worship. No leaven was allowed, picturing sin. No honey was allowed. The minister of God cannot worship distracted by carnal pleasures and corruption. Most of it was food for the priests. In the same way those who preach the Gospel should eat from it (1 Corinthians 9:14).

Leviticus 3 Peace Offering

The peace offering from Leviticus 3 pictures our fellowship with God and man. The animal eaten may be male or female, picturing fellowship that is not segregated. It must also be without blemish, picturing how avoiding sin promotes peace. It also reminds us of the Lord’s sacrifice. As we partake of the Bread and Wine, we partake of the Lord, fellowship with the Lord and offer each other peace. In the peace offering, we give God the fat that He asks for and Jews were forbidden to eat, and we give our guests the best portions. Leviticus 7 shows how the peace offering may also be used for a thanksgiving offering.

Leviticus 4 Sin Offering

In Leviticus 4, the sin offering is for unintentional sins or sins of ignorance. A young bull, a young goat or a lamb without blemish is offered. From a priest is expected a larger offering because of his role in society. Controversies exist in our Christian world over whether certain acts are sin or not. This sacrifice was designed for just such situations, when we sin in ignorance of the will of God. Today we offer the sacrifice of forgiveness, asking God, “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Leviticus 5 Guilt Offering

In Leviticus 5 is the guilt offering, also called the trespass offering and the reparation offering. It involves situations where restitution is needed. It also involves situations of someone sinning in ignorance, and later realizes it. It involves confession that he has sinned in that thing. It involves an offering appropriate to one’s level of wealth. It included a twenty percent fine to be paid above reparations. The guilt offering reminds us that some sins carry a responsibility to fix what we have broken, even though we have repented and been forgiven. This is the true intent of indulgences, not the scam run by Tetzel which led to the Protestant Reformation.

Hebrews 10 Superior Sacrifice

The sacrifices were not permanent, but pointed to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The law was limited, providing only a temporary solution to sin. Offerings had to be repeated. It was more of a continual reminder of sin than permanent solution to it (verse 3). The Levitical sacrifices were a temporary measure and not God’s ultimate will. God took no pleasure in them (verse 8). His ultimate plan was “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (verse 10) Jesus, “by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (verse 14) The Savior’s sacrifice was perfect and the forgiveness of sin is complete (verses 17-18).

Postlude

Jesus death was the end of animal sacrifices, “for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself” (Hebrews 7:27). Now “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). We are to follow Jesus’ example. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service [“spiritual worship” ESV][“true and proper worship” NIV].” (Romans 12:1)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

NIV: Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:14; Matthew 6:12; Luke 23:34; Hebrews 7:27; John 4:23-24