Sacred

Dear Reader, we understand that throughout history people have brought sacrifices to "appease the Gods." Whatever culture, this is found, and in some cultures still continues. We know from the records of the first book of beginnings, Genesis, that Cain and Able brought sacrifice in their attempt to have relationship with the God who their parents told them about.

This was only partially successful, as Cain brought things with the wrong attitude,

Gen 4:2-6 "When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master"

As time went on, God extended the different types of sacrifices which were acceptable, and those which were not. These acceptable items, and the utensils and Temples used for them became sacred.

  1. "sacred. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy."
Yet throughout their covenantal relationship, God's people were reminded that the action of sacrifice was never acceptable and thus not sacred, if those sacrificing were of the wrong heart. If people came, and secretly hid their true motives, they in fact made the sacred defiled.

Psalms 4:5  "Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord"

To the point where God rejected the physical sacrifice and their meaning,


Psalm 51:16ff

 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
 Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar

Which brings us Dear Reader, to Jesus. The Carpenter, the Messiah, the Son of God, "the Lamb  slain from the foundation of the world."(Rev 13:8b NKJV)

Jesus was a sacrifice, the ultimate one, and the perfect one, he offered himself, and he offered himself with the right attitude, perfect for his father, perfect for us.

He offered himself, so we, his beneficiaries may be declared Holy and Sacred.

Dear Reader, remember if you belong to the Messiah, you are in fact Sacred!


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