On a recent trip to South Asia, our team visited a temple where goats and chickens are sacrificed. The animals are brought to the priest to receive a blessing, and then their throats are cut. So much blood is shed as their life is taken.
In our western culture we are far removed from this practice, but it was commonplace in Biblical times. They understood that for forgiveness to be granted, blood had to be shed. Life had to be taken.
This is hard to for us to understand and it was difficult to watch these innocent animals being killed. But it doesn’t even compare to Christ’s final sacrifice and death. He was beaten, mocked, nailed to a cross, and stabbed. And that’s just the physical. Witnessing these animal sacrifices, in small part, helped me realize how atrocious Christ’s death was. The cost for my sin was His life. And yet, if He hadn’t done it, I would still be lost and wallowing in the muck that is my sin.
The enemy can accuse me, and most of the time he is right. But then I am reminded that, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). He has chosen to save me and call me His child. What a sacrifice. What a Savior.
Jesus, thank You for Your great sacrifice on our behalf. We are forever grateful that You endured the pain and suffering that we deserved so that we can be called children of God. Amen.