Read today’s texts first: Numbers 28,29; Mark 8
When we give up our life for God and for others, we find out what life is all about!
This is Gracie, my youngest granddaughter, at her Wee College graduation. It was wonderful cheering her on as she and her fellow grads quoted the verses they had been practicing all week long: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...”; “A new command I give you, that you love each other as I have loved you...”; “God loves a cheerful giver”. There’s much more that they had memorized, and all of it has daily application.
Let’s face it - children are basically immature! Their conversations often center on two words: “me” and “mine.” I could preach these verses to them when they fall short, but I prefer to hold my grandkids up as examples when they succeed, like when Kaitlyn was given a bottle of her favourite Gatorade for herself and promptly poured out two glasses first for her brother and sister.
That’s what our readings are all about today. The sacrifices called for in the OT chapters seem so onerous, but we need to be reminded that the costs of sin are high. Note the payment for sin had to be “without flaw” (28:31). That’s why we can’t atone for our own sin - we were born flawed, with a sinful, selfish nature. Our NT reading tells us that’s why Jesus came to earth, to become the perfect, sinless lamb sacrificed in our place to pay our debt of sin once and for all (8:31).
But there is more to the idea of sacrifice than payment for sin in the past. Jesus explains to His disciples that a life of sacrifice will keep them and us from sin in the future. Taking up our cross daily (34,35) and giving up our life (and Gatorade) to others, will keep us pure, uncontaminated by the “leaven of the Pharisees and Herod” (15). They were self-centered sign-seekers, looking out only for numero uno. Jesus reminded His disciples, when they were concerned about where their next meal was coming from (14), that when they were giving food away to others, they never lacked for themselves (17-21).
“Lord, thank You for reminding me today that my sinful past was forgiven because Jesus gave up His life for me, but avoiding sin in the future is possible as I follow Christ's example of selfless sacrifice. When I give up my life for You, I will discover what life is all about (34; Matthew 16:25).”
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