Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Marked by the Wounds of Christ
Sherly Thomas
St. Thomas MTC, NY
19 And
Aaron spoke to Moses, “See, today they offered their sin offering and their
burnt offering before the Lord; and yet such things as these have befallen me!
If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been agreeable to the
Lord?”
Christ's death marks an end to the sacrificial offering system of the "OLD TESTAMENT”, his death is symbolic of the ultimate sin offering which abolished all sin forever.
The book of LEVITICUS gives the laws and regulations for worship. Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord because they offered strange fire before the Lord. God is Holy and so we must honor Him.
Moses instructed Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar not to mourn for their brothers because God’s anointing oil is on them and not to drink wine or other fermented drinks. Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to eat the leftover meat offering, in a Holy place. Moses found out that the goat of the sin offering was not eaten and it was burnt up on the altar. Moses was angry and asked Aaron and his sons why they did not eat it, as it was given to take away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before the Lord. To this Aaron replied "today they sacrificed their sin offering and burnt offering before the Lord" and yet they died. God would not be pleased if they ate the sin offering. When Moses heard this, he understood and realized that Aaron had understood the intent of the sin and had gone deeper than the letter of the law. Here we see that God is not concerned about the sacrifices, rituals or ceremonies. God's concern is much deeper than these. God is merciful and does not give any judgment to Aaron as his intent was deeper than the law.
God is always pleased with this kind of attitude. We need to understand that God is not interested in our rituals and sacrifices. Our hearts and intentions must be right with God. We don't need to impress God by going to church, studying bible, singing songs, fasting and praying. Nothing will be accepted if our heart is away from God.
In Psalms 51:16-17 we read “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Aaron realizes this and so Moses was satisfied when he heard Aaron's intent of his heart.
And this is exactly what God requires about each one of us. He does not want us to keep any kind of religious rituals and laws. He just wants us to have a broken spirit and contrite heart.
Christ's death marks an end to the sacrificial offering system of the "OLD TESTAMENT”, his death is symbolic of the ultimate sin offering which abolished all sin forever.
The book of LEVITICUS gives the laws and regulations for worship. Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord because they offered strange fire before the Lord. God is Holy and so we must honor Him.
Moses instructed Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar not to mourn for their brothers because God’s anointing oil is on them and not to drink wine or other fermented drinks. Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to eat the leftover meat offering, in a Holy place. Moses found out that the goat of the sin offering was not eaten and it was burnt up on the altar. Moses was angry and asked Aaron and his sons why they did not eat it, as it was given to take away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before the Lord. To this Aaron replied "today they sacrificed their sin offering and burnt offering before the Lord" and yet they died. God would not be pleased if they ate the sin offering. When Moses heard this, he understood and realized that Aaron had understood the intent of the sin and had gone deeper than the letter of the law. Here we see that God is not concerned about the sacrifices, rituals or ceremonies. God's concern is much deeper than these. God is merciful and does not give any judgment to Aaron as his intent was deeper than the law.
God is always pleased with this kind of attitude. We need to understand that God is not interested in our rituals and sacrifices. Our hearts and intentions must be right with God. We don't need to impress God by going to church, studying bible, singing songs, fasting and praying. Nothing will be accepted if our heart is away from God.
In Psalms 51:16-17 we read “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Aaron realizes this and so Moses was satisfied when he heard Aaron's intent of his heart.
And this is exactly what God requires about each one of us. He does not want us to keep any kind of religious rituals and laws. He just wants us to have a broken spirit and contrite heart.
PRAYER
Gracious Father may your spirit guide us each day
and help us to realize our sins. Forgive our sins and help us to have a broken
spirit and contrite heart. In Jesus precious name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.' Hebrews 4:16.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.' Hebrews 4:16.