The Bible clearly teaches that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Jesus went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, taking them all upon Himself. He voluntarily suffered a brutal death as a spotless sacrifice, one without blemish, so that we may be made blameless and righteous in His presence throughout eternity.
Long before Jesus was born to His appointed hour, sin sacrifices were performed as spelled out in the Old Testament law of Moses, pointing towards Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Scripture tells us that without the shedding of blood, there could be no remission of sins.
19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:19-21 (NASB)
As scripture later clarifies, the blood of bulls, goats, and lambs could never truly atone for the sins of people. But these observances were necessary in God’s eyes until the purifying sacrifice of Christ would satisfy all heavenly accounts, wiping clean the record of our sins, once and for all.
Insufficient as they were, the sin sacrifices prescribed through Moses were vital to purify the people in the Lord’s eyes, to maintain the holy covenant between Himself and His people of faith. These ritual sacrifices needed to be done with reverence and respect, and through the prophet Malachi, God let the people of Judah know that He was having a serious issue with their lack of reverence in these offerings.
After first assuring them that God really does love them, Malachi shared some stiff correction from the Lord on how these sacred sacrifices were being conducted.
6 “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of armies to you, the priests who despise My name! But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ 7 You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised.’ 8 And when you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not evil? Or when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not evil? So offer it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you, or would he receive you kindly?” says the Lord of armies. Malachi 1:6-8 (NASB)
The problem in God’s eyes was that the people were selling off their best animals for profit and using the less sale-able ones in their sacrifices to the Lord. As God the Father would one day offer His most precious possession, His Son, for the eternal benefit of believers, it is understandable that He would be strongly displeased by half-hearted, second-rate offerings to Him.
The Lord spoke through Malachi to open the eyes of the people and to convict them in their hearts for these thoughtless actions.
11 “For My name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name in every place because My name will be great among the nations,” says Yahweh of Hosts.
12 But you are profaning it when you say: “The Lord’s table is defiled, and its product, its food, is contemptible.” 13 You also say: “Look, what a nuisance!” “And you scorn it,” says the Lord of Hosts. “You bring stolen, lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands?” asks the Lord.
14 “The deceiver is cursed who has an acceptable male in his flock and makes a vow but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says Yahweh of Hosts, “and My name will be feared among the nations. Malachi 1:11-14 (HCSB)
When we are blind to the tremendous awe of God, our Creator, and only give Him our second best, we, like the crowd addressed by Malachi, will be subject to His correction. He who gave us His all is worthy of our very best offerings. As the apostle Peter wrote:
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:17-19 (NASB)
Jesus, God’s Lamb without blemish, will return one day to reign as King over the entire world. In that day, He will be worshiped by people of every nation and tongue. Through the priceless sacrifice of Christ, God is extending His grace, mercy, and forgiveness to all who would open their hearts to Him today.
May you have a priceless encounter in peace and joy with Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God.
Reflection
What am I holding back on giving to God?
Lord, show us the things in our lives that we are holding back from You. Help us to surrender all so that You may be multiply them in fruitfulness, to the glory of God. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 