An Israelite in the Old Testament was accustomed to repeatedly sacrificing animals to God. As Christians, we no longer do this. We stand on the foundation of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, to which the Old Testament sacrifices pointed. We have a cleansed conscience, are sanctified and made perfect (cf. Heb. 9:14; 10:10,14) – an immeasurable blessing. But we too can and should offer sacrifices to God. These sacrifices are not for the purpose of being saved, but as an expression of love and gratitude for the great salvation we have received through the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus. The New Testament speaks of such sacrifices in several places.
Our Bodies
- “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.” (Romans 12:1)
Chapter 12 marks the beginning of the practical part of Romans. In the previous chapters, Paul presented the gospel of God, His compassion for us human beings. He shows that the problem of our sins has been solved before God through the blood of the Lord Jesus, and that we now stand before God as justified (chap. 3:21-5:11). The problem of our sinful condition, our sinful nature, was also solved by the death of Christ and our dying with Him. As a result, we have been set free from the dominion of sin and the law (chap. 5:12-8:39).
As those who have been so richly blessed, we are now called to respond to God’s great grace in our lives. The first call is to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him. The mention of our bodies indicates that this is not just an internal attitude, but a concrete and complete surrender to God. A surrender that is practically demonstrated by the fact that we place our limbs, our abilities, our time and our strength completely at God’s disposal. Paul refers here to Romans 6:13, where it says: “Present yourselves to God as living from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness.” This is a “living” sacrifice to God. However, it is only pleasing to God if it is also a “holy” sacrifice, that is, if we live our lives in an attitude of self-judgment, separation from evil, and turning to Him.
The believers in Macedonia understood something of this kind of sacrifice. They could be said to have given themselves first to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5), an example for us to follow.
Our Praise
- “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Heb. 13:15)
- “…to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 2:5)
- “Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.” (Ps. 50:14)
The Hebrews were familiar with the Old Testament sacrificial service, but because they had become Christians, they no longer had anything to do with it because of Christ’s sacrifice, but they – and we today – could still offer sacrifices to God as Christians: “sacrifice of praise”. Such sacrifices come from a heart filled with joy, praise, thanksgiving, and worship for the person and work of the Lord Jesus. It is expressed through words or songs that come from the lips. These are “spiritual sacrifices” that we, as holy priests, offer to our God through Jesus Christ. These repeated sacrifices of praise are based on the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, and this type of sacrifice was not entirely unknown in the Old Testament: Hosea 14:3 says, “For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips”. The Psalms also repeatedly speak of sacrifice or offering praise to God. Even then, a sacrifice consisted not only of the sacrificial animal but also of what was in the heart of the one offering and expressed through his lips.
It is not enough for us to approach Him with praise and worship only on Sundays, and we can’t really do that unless we have spent a lot of time with the person and work of the Lord during the week. The Father is looking for worshipers (Jn. 4:23) – people who are characterized by worship. Don’t we have every reason to praise our God all the time?
Our Possessions
- “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. ” (Heb. 13:16)
- “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.” (Phil. 4:18)
Immediately after the call to “always offer a sacrifice of praise” to God, Hebrews 13 exhorts us not to forget to “do good and share.” These are other sacrifices that should come from those who are thankful to God. They are for our neighbors – but they are also indirectly for God, for He is pleased with these sacrifices.
The close connection between sacrifices of praise and (material) sacrifices for our neighbors is made clear in other places in the Bible. For example, the third book of Moses begins with sacrifices for God and ends with tithes for the Levites, orphans, widows, and strangers.
The first eleven verses deal with the first fruits offered to God, a parallel to the sacrifices of praise (Heb. 13:15), and verses 12-15 deal with the tithe, which reminds us of doing good and sharing (Heb. 13:16).
The Greek word used for “sharing” means “fellowship” or “participation”. The focus here is on “sharing” our own possessions with others. Are we grateful when the Lord has entrusted us with so much to share with others? Let us do so gladly, for “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). And whatever we do for one of His own, He sees as something we have done for Him (cf. Mt. 25:40)!
The believers in Philippi are a model of this kind of sacrifice: they had probably given Paul a financial gift and thus “shared in his distress” (Phil. 4:14).Paul probably alludes to this material gift when he speaks of a “sacrifice of their faith” in connection with their dedicated service (cf. 2:17).Then, in chapter 4:18, he calls their gift a “sweet odor.” He uses the same word that is used in Ephesians 5:2 for the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus: “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma“. This shows how precious such material gifts are to God.
Summary
As Christians, we have nothing directly to do with the Old Testament sacrificial service. Through the perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, we have the forgiveness of sins and free access to the presence of God. However, the New Testament shows us that we, as Christians, should also offer sacrifices – sacrifices that are a response to the once-for-all sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. These sacrifices are:
- our bodies, which we offer to the Lord with our limbs and abilities,
- our praise, which we continually offer to Him from a grateful heart, and
- the material gifts we give to others.
Let us be encouraged anew to show our love and gratitude to our Lord and Savior and to please Him through these sacrifices.
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