Christmas Advent Devotional | Day 19
Advent – Day 19
What really is a sacrifice? Previously we saw that Jesus’ birth fulfilled both human and divine customs. One of the physical customs fulfilled was seen when his parents offered a sacrifice in the temple, dedicating Him to God. We continue our Advent devotional series from the book of Luke. Remember Advent means “coming,” and we are taking time to reflect on the birth, and second coming of our Lord Jesus in this Christmas season, and its significance to each one of us.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2: 22-24
22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Devotional Thoughts
Jesus’ parents offered a sacrifice according to Jewish law, dedicating Him unto the Lord. At that time, the required sacrifice was two turtledoves or two young pigeons. Laced throughout the scriptures is the concept of sacrifice. This is perhaps because the giving of a sacrifice demonstrates the essential element of faith, and God requires faith from all of us. What really is a sacrifice? The Merriam-Webster defines sacrifice as the surrender of something for the sake of something else. It further states that a sacrifice is something given up or lost. A sacrifice then is not just about giving something up, but also having an intentional reason for the sacrifice. When we give something up or surrender something for God, it demonstrates a high level of faith, and in turn provokes God to act on our behalf.
Sacrifices take many shapes. Unlike Mary and Joseph, we do not have to present turtledoves and pigeons to demonstrate our faith. A sacrifice can be monetary, through offerings and tithes. It can be the sacrifice of our time in helping in the house of God. It can be in the form of giving up certain habits, certain relationships, and even certain activities that become time-stealers. Again, the objective is not simply giving the thing up, but having the intent that it is an offering to God, gradually developing a God-centered mindset. It is not usually an easy task to give something up, but the reward makes it worth it.
Christ – The Ultimate Sacrifice
The Lord Jesus is called the Lamb of God. His life and mission has been that of a sacrificial lamb. A lamb was among the animals that were presented for sacrifices under the law. When the lamb was sacrificed, it served as a symbol of the forgiveness of sins under the old testament. A lamb that was without blemish or fault was needed to atone for sin. God had however not planned for this practice to be an eternal one. He had prepared the Eternal Lamb, who would come to the earth and be the sacrifice once and for all for all who would accept it. This brings meaning to Charlotte Elliott’s hymn: Just as I am.
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
.Reflection
- What would you say you would lay on the altar today as a sacrifice for the Lord?
- Have you responded to the call of the ultimate sacrifice?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God, to take away my sins. I accept this precious sacrifice. Grant me the grace to also lay down on the altar whatever I need to. You loved me enough to give me your best. All glory and honor belongs to you. Amen.
Previous Devotional
Christmas Advent Devotional Day 18
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