SACRIFICE
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

The first three chapters of Leviticus are reviewing God's laws for sacrifice.

In detail.

In very specific detail.

I think of the congregant bringing his sacrifice to the Temple.

The process of selecting the most perfect animal. The struggle with getting it from the barnyard to the courtyard. The sweat and tears, as the penitent believer makes the effort to give to God what is needed to forgive a sin or bless a crop or ask for peace.

I think of the clueless animal. 

Chosen. Selected. Relocated. Dragged. Carried. Marked. Separated from its flock mates or herd. Exposed to the hustle and bustle of the Temple activities. 

Killed.

Its blood drained. Its body parted out. Its life offered to the Lord on behalf of another.

Sacrifices aren't something we think much of these days.

Sure, we think we give of our time or money to good causes. We give up a few hours each Sunday to gather with fellow believers instead of going to the lake. We throw a few dollars in the direction of good causes instead of another Starbucks coffee.

But if you truly pause on this portion of Scripture and think of what Jesus did for us when He willingly died on the cross--it should stop us in our tracks.

It should make us sick to our stomachs.

It should bring tears to our eyes.

It should bring repentance to our hearts.

It should bring an appreciation to our lives.

It should make us stop and calculate all He did for all we've done.

Think about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross today. Let the immensity of the act change your life.