Reflections: That’s a lot of sacrifices!

During my study of the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah, one thing that stuck in my mind was the list of sacrifices. “For the dedication of the house of God, they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel” (Ezra 6:17). 

That number pales in comparison, though, to the lists from King Solomon’s dedication of the first temple, described in I Kings 8, when the numbers of sacrificed animals were in the tens of thousands. The problem was, those sacrifices could never atone permanently for sin. They had to be done regularly. And the Israelites, including many of their kings, sort of forgot the point, of being set apart as special people of God; their disobedience led to eventual conquest and exile. 

With the Persian king’s blessing, the rebuilding of the Temple and the return to Jerusalem gave cause for great hope and excitement, even though it was not easy. With Ezra’s reading of the Law and Nehemiah’s practical and financial encouragement, I’m sure the leaders again had high hopes for the people’s obedience to God. Sadly, even before the project was completed, disobedience still had to be addressed. And those sacrifices still had to be done regularly. 

I’m so thankful that all those things point to Jesus, the perfect sacrifice. Because of his atoning death on the cross, no more sacrifices are needed; our sins are covered once and for all. 

The theme of sacrifice, though, continues into the New Testament, likely relatable to those in the early Church who grew up around the Temple, but possibly less so to gentile converts. The temptation to disobey God’s law is still present in our world. Just as Ezra and Nehemiah had to correct the returning exiles, we still need correction sometimes. And like the priests of old, we must dedicate ourselves to God’s will. The Apostle Paul tells us, “. . . I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, pleasing to God . . .” (Romans 12:1, BSB). Peter describes followers of Christ as a “holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus . . .” (1 Peter 2:5, BSB). 

So, yes, back in the Old Testament days, that was a lot of sacrifices. I’m so thankful for the atonement provided by Jesus, once and for all! But on a practical level, it’s still a lot of sacrifices! Every day I must sacrifice my selfishness and submit my plans, thoughts and actions to God’s will to do my part in the Great Commission, defend Judeo/Christian values in our nation and community, serve my family, and encourage other believers. 

This is not easy, but it’s possible through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, as Jesus promised his followers before his ascension to heaven. That power turned Peter from cowering in fear and denying Christ, into a preacher whose first sermon converted over 3,000 people and who would give his life for the gospel witness. It turned Paul from persecutor to church planter. And it can help us live for Jesus daily, regardless of the cost. 

Just as Ezra and Nehemiah encouraged the work, and the early Apostles wrote encouraging letters, godly leaders and a faith community can encourage us in walking out our daily sacrifice. We are blessed to have access to the Scriptures, written by those faithful Old Testament leaders who were still looking forward to the Perfect Sacrifice, and by the New Testament leaders who responded to the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to spread the gospel. 

It’s a lot of sacrifices, but we can do this!