“Sacrifice of Praise” by Dorothy Norwood
Hebrews 8:3 (KJV)
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Gifts and Sacrifices
Following the ordination of an orthodox priest, the newly ordained priest then takes part in the further celebration of the Liturgy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One of the many functions of the high priest is to offer gifts and sacrifices. But a high priest cannot offer what he does not have. Jesus is our high priest, who sacrificed His life once, and the blood that He shed atones forever. As the high priests of old offered the gifts and sacrifices brought to them by the people, it is reasonable to say that Jesus presents the gifts and sacrifices of the people of God, to God. Just as the high priests of old examined the gifts and sacrifices to see if they were without flaws, rejecting those that had flaws, Jesus examines our gifts and sacrifices to see if they are worthy of presentation. Just as the High Priest rejected tainted animal sacrifices, so will our gifts and sacrifices be rejected if tainted by sins like: pride (Cain), resentment (Ananias and Saphira), disobedience (Saul).
Jesus did the work necessary to “take captivity captive and give gifts for men” (Psalm 68:18). Now we must do our share to cultivate those gifts with a clean and pure heart and wisdom from God so that we can present them back to God. We must present them in humility and obedience to His command. We must not fear to sacrifice for our God. Even the word “gift” used in today’s scripture means sacrifice as well as present. The word “sacrifice” means the (literal and figurative) act or victim of the sacrifice. A victim implies that something or someone was wounded or slain.
Since we are “crucified with Christ,” and He died for our sins so that we might live, we died with Him. Our old selves are slain. Our right to ourselves was slain. Our pride and right to self-elevation were slain. Our resurrected self is the living sacrifice that we wash daily in the word of God that we might be presented to Him. Romans 12:1 says:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Be determined today and everyday to “present your body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” Pay your tithes and offerings, but also allow the Holy Spirit to live the life and mind of Christ through you.
Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
© 2012 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
The video “Sacrifice of Praise” by Dorothy Norwood by uploaded on Youtube.com by familyforgod on Jun 2, 2008. Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership in this video. It is used for educational purposes only.
Last reviewed July 20, 2015
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