Living Sacrifice
There is always blessing on the other side of sacrifice. Jesus modeled the law of sacrifice so that we could see the blessing that it unlocks for us and others.
“After these things, God tested Abraham...He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering...Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”...Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son. Yahweh’s angel called to him...He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. Abraham called the name of that place “Yahweh Will Provide”.
Genesis 22:1-2, 7-8, 10-14
There might not be a more difficult story in the Bible to process as a parent than Abraham being tested with Isaac. The idea of child sacrifice is repulsive. God does not reveal to Abraham that it was a test nor does He make it easy for him at any point during the test. What do we learn from this story that can help us love God and others better? Two simple truths. God is trustworthy as He is always faithul and He provides for our needs. When we stand on those truths, we can overcome the fears that most often impact our lives.
What fears are you facing today? How would you feel if you knew that God would make a way and will provide for whatever your need is? Faith in who God and trusting Him is the antidote to the sickness of all fear.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?...You have brought me into the dust of death...A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet. They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing...All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Yahweh. All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you. For the kingdom is Yahweh’s. He is the ruler over the nations...Future generations shall be told about the Lord. They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born, for he has done it.”
Psalms 22:1, 15-16, 18, 27-28, 30-31
Jesus quotes the words of Psalms 22 on the cross. If we stop at the first line then we miss the bigger picture. Jesus is pointing back to the prophecy and giving evidence of the very reason people should trust God through the testing. Hundreds of years before Jesus, David wrote these words. How powerful are these words looking back at what Jesus went through in His time of testing as a sacrifice for us? Jesus was never forsaken. He fulfilled His calling to be faithful and God made a way overcoming death.
“The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life. I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Yahweh.”
Proverbs 22:4, 19 WEBUS
What is God really testing when we face tough choices? Is He not testing our trust in Him? Our tests turn into testimonies when we choose to trust God. What is your testimony? How have the tests you have faced displayed God's faithfulness?
“Yahweh of Armies revealed himself...I will lay the key of David’s house on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut. He will shut, and no one will open. I will fasten him like a nail in a sure place. He will be for a throne of glory to his father’s house. They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house"
Isaiah 22:14, 22-25
By enduring the cross and trusting God with His very life Jesus became the way. He is the way to eternal life that no door, not even sin or death, can shut.
“Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius. He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God...Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.””
Matthew 22:17-21, 29-32, 36-40
The people tried to test Jesus because they did not trust Him. His answers revealed how pure His heart was and is. What is the greatest way in which you will be tested? Jesus says whether you will choose to trust God will all of your heart, mind, soul, and the people He trusts you to help.
Like Abraham, you will be tested. The key is learning that the tests unlock the blessings of testimonies that glorify that God who is always faithful and trustworthy. Where is Jesus calling you to trust Him today? Is there anything you are holding back or unwilling to offer to Him? Truth says there is always blessing on the other side of sacrifice.