I recently found myself googling “how to get Sharpie off fingernails,” ”how to get Sharpie off skin,” and “how to get Sharpie off a Pack ‘n Play.” I don’t really need to explain more than that—your imagination will fill in all the blanks. Well, in the imagination—or worldview—of the Old Testament people of God, sin was like a rogue Sharpie during naptime; it contaminated everything. When people sinned within the community, everything was affected: the people, their relationships, and even the environment. Whatever sin touched was marked by death.
For this inescapable problem of sin, God provided a way for His people to be reconciled to Him without compromising His holiness. And although animal sacrifice seems outside the bounds of our norm, ancient Israelites understood that their sin brought death to everything, and in His mercy, God accepted the lifeblood of a flawless lamb in place of their own.
As we saw in our reading, the high priest was required to go through a series of sacrifices and offerings and wear special clothes to humbly approach God for the sake of the community. All this preparation was to be able to come to God with the sins of His people—seeking peace and forgiveness asking Him to remain in their midst. But it wasn’t permanent. One goat a year could never carry the sins of the community far enough away. The offering of different animal’s blood was never the right blood to truly make things whole.
One of the most sadistic tools of the enemy is to convince us that our sin isn’t that damaging. We easily become numb to its nasty nature, so even the act of sacrificing an innocent animal reminded the people that their sin brought devastation. As they watched it die, they were enacting the consequences of their sin before a holy God. This is what people would have had in mind as they heard John proclaim, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). He was announcing Jesus as the Messiah, foreshadowing what awaited Him as the once for all time sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews reminds us that the Old Testament provision of God’s grace always pointed toward the climax of the story—the sacrifice of His Son, who by submitting to death actually conquered it. The former sacrifices were a symbolic payment toward the chaos of our sin, but Jesus paid in full, bringing us peace with Him for all time.
Advent is all about anticipation. But all of our best efforts for sweet memories, perfect meals, and joyful gift-giving are really only a shadow of the glory that awaits us at Jesus’s second advent. Whenever the peace we long for during this season seems just out of reach, may we be reminded that because of Christ’s sacrifice, true peace is already ours in Him.
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154 thoughts on "Peace Through His Sacrifice"
I once had a small group leader ask us what sins the group needed to be aware of. She’s the only one that’s ever asked that to a group I’ve been a part of. At first it caught me by surprise but now I realize she asked that bc 1) it provides accountability 2) she was looking out for the group as a whole. While we each are held accountable for our sins, your sin affects me and my sin affects you. It’s pervasive, and brings forth death.
Nothing like diving into the OT Law to grasp how only Christs blood was able to cover our sin.
Amen ❤️
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What a reminder of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice that brings true redemption and peace.
Thank you Jesus for being an example for all you want us to do on earth. We love you!
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Thank you Lord ❤️
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Ok… so my Sharpie story… I can laugh about it now, but it was NOT funny then…
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We lived in a very small house, where you could hear EVERYTHING. And as you know, when you don’t hear ANYTHING from a little person… you should investigate. Well, while I was giving the oldest little a bath, hubby was playing a game on the computer. Youngest son was QUIETLY coloring all the knobs in the kitchen, the china cabinet, the appliances, the cabinet fronts and the pantry door with a Sharpie.
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Why didn’t hubby investigate?… I was so mad then.
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Like Becca, I was trying to figure out how to remove Sharpie marks from a myriad of surfaces. Ugh! I will never look at a Sharpie pen now without thinking of sin and the marks that it makes and how Jesus removed the marks for all of our sins, regardless of what and where.
❤ What a memory! And now it has become a teachable moment!
After reading OT scripture and then coming to John I had an awe moment. The foreshadowing of what was and is to come. So thankful for Jesus.. his sacrifice. I recently saw something that said “ do you think that Jesus, the son of a carpenter, smelt the wood of the cross and temporarily thought of home? ”.. made me teary eyed. A reminder that of our saviors humanity.
Oh my— this is very a moving thought.
Oh, Sophie, that’s powerful! Thanks so much for sharing that! ❤
God is so good to provide atonement for our sins once and for all. We need to not take it for granted that we are not having to make sacrifices. We had communion yesterday and I can see why we are called to do that regularly as a reminder of all that Christ has done for us.
I am incredibly grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice for us! Most religions either believe in a powerful god or a kind god but the fact that the one true God is both is so powerful!
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I didn’t reply right away this morning when I first read this. I really wanted to contemplate the whole idea of PEACE thru His sacrifice. I often wondered if having to sacrifice an innocent animal would deter me from sinning. I hate the idea of killing anything, but to slaughter a beautiful unblemished animal for my own sin? I can’t imagine. But the fact that Jesus did the ultimate one-time sacrifice so all I have to do is ask for forgiveness to be cleansed and washed white as snow….this boggles my mind. As I think of the “little” things I do sort of regularly, like maybe spend too much money, or gossip, or harbor an attitude that isn’t exactly pure…. redemption and forgiveness and cleansing is so easy now, and yet I sometimes feel too guilty to ask Jesus to forgive me because I “should know better by now”, and so I hide, hoping maybe I won’t get caught…. so silly!! Why don’t I just humbly come to Him and confess and ask for Him to make me a new creature? Oh, Jesus, I’m sorry I keep doing stupid things that I am so aware of and yet seem to be habits. Please cleanse me, make me whole, make me new.
Echoing your prayers Kris!! I feel the same,that I should
“know better” by now!
Thank you Jesus for your once and for
all atonement for my ”
I should know better”
stuff.! I’m lost without you and desperately crave your
presence!!
Oh what a Savior!
Wonderful counselor, redeemer.
Thankful we are redeemed through your sacrifice and love for us, Jesus. ❤️
Praying for all your requests.
At first as I was reading the verses for today, I thought I could never have sacrificed an animal. That poor innocent animal. All the blood and fat alone would make me sick. BUT what a reminder that would have been back then. Sin would have felt weighty. Today we can so easily brush sin off as no big deal. We say we’re sorry and move on. It is so important to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. The ultimate gift. How dare we be flippant about our sin.
I have shared this song before, but I struggled to find it today. In searching for it I found several new to me. We sing this at church quite often and it fits today’s study focus, I think.
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All we have to do is come to the altar. We don’t have to bring a dove, lamb, goat, or bull. Our Sacrifice precedes us. Praise God for the Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world! ❤
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O Come to the Altar
Elevation Worship
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling (oh, oh)
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Savior
What a Savior
Oh, what a Savior
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
Oh, what a Savior
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ (oh-oh)
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you found
Songwriters: Wade Joye, Christopher Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick. For non-commercial use only.
Beautiful lyrics.
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Love it! ❤️
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One of my favorites Cee Gee!!
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Love that song, didn’t even know it was by Elevation Worship!
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I love that song, Cee Gee!!
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Beautiful Cee Gee and a song I enjoy. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sending Your only begotten Son.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your sacrifice.
Thank you, God, for Your mercy and everlasting love. All praise and glory to God!
Amen!! Thank you, Jessicalee.
He became sin, who knew no sin
That we might become His righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing, love so amazing
Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
Yes, good song!
Another church regular that I love! ❤
Please take a moment to go over to you tube and listen to a song by charity gayle. Thank you Jesus for the blood, the live version with lyrics. Life changing.
Glory to his name, glory to his name.
there to my heart was the blood applied,
Glory to his name!
One of my favs!
Oh Wow! Thank you, can’t believe I have never heard that, as I LOVE “I SPEAK Jesus” by her!!
The OT readings of sacrifice and atonement are always just so heavy and sobering to me in the sense of what was actually required. The reality of this is just so beyond what we can understand, the actual process took such effort and was so visible. It can be easy for us to dismiss or not recognize the magnitude of separation our sin causes simply because Jesus death on the cross made a different way. But, what I need to remember is that my sin is no less serious; it still deeply grieves the heart of my Father and by His great love, grace and mercy He offers forgiveness.
Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness and that despite the humanness of me, my weakness and choices you do not cast me aside, but welcome me with open arms, offer forgiveness,hope and peace. Amen
The comments, insights and sharing are of great encouragement and help to me. Appreciate this SRT community so much. Blessings sisters and praying for the requests shared in this space.❤️
Amen ❤️
This has blessed me today
Two things stuck out to me in today’s readings, 1)Aaron had to make atonement for himself and his household before offering atonement for the people. What a contrast between Aaron a sinner in need of cleansing, and Jesus – the High Priest who knew no sin, the spotless Lamb! 2)What the “people hand in mind as they heard John proclaim, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”…I had never given this a thought before. I wonder if when they heard this they pictured a lamb being sacrificed & what does it all mean concerning this “man” Jesus?
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So thankful for Jesus who took my sin upon Himself and suffered the punishment so that I wouldn’t have to.
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Oh how blessed we are to be able to have the peace of God in our hearts.
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Praying for all today who are struggling or are in difficult situations and longing for peace. ❤️
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Sarah M. – prayers for you and your husband as your daughter is released. May God give you His perfect peace in these circumstances, protect you both and bring spiritual and mental healing to your daughter. ❤️
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Continued prayers for all the caregivers, the two names that come to mind – Linda in NC and Lynn from Alabama. ❤️
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Maria Baer – for your marriage and living situation.
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Linda J. – for your daughters health needs and peace for your Mama’s heart.
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For all those who are unable to go in person to worship services, praying that God will minister to your hearts as you navigate through this season. ❤️
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Have a blessed Monday y’all!
Now that I have read your comments, I just want to say I’m praying for all the requests. And your comments have encouraged and challenged me!
Amen
I usually like to read everyone’s comments before I comment. I feel today that I should comment first.
What hit me was when John said,”Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John knew what Jesus would endure, Jesus knew! Yet, he still lived His life patiently answering questions, healing the sick, raising the dead. This is humbling! I take so much for granted! He brought me peace and sanctification through His sacrifice.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.5.21.NIV
Praying for all.
Such a good morning read! How beautiful is Jesus of Nazareth. The Lamb chosen from the foundation of the world. Chosen to conquer sin! Death! He’ll! And the grave! We love you, Jesus!
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Wow. Today’s reading is very weighty, and it can be hard to get my mind around. I love reading all of your comments, especially in regards to our personal sin destroying everything around it. We can take Jesus’ sacrifice for granted because we don’t have that annual physical reminder that the Israelites had. Lord, help us to be honest with ourselves about our own sinfulness that we may have a greater appreciation of the peace You provide through Your sacrificial death, Jesus.
Yes, that’s so good Barb–may we not skip over our sin and the weight of it, and the gift of our Savior! Amen!! Praise God!
I have been part of the SRT community for several years and feel I’ve come to know many of you through our studies and your comments. I do not comment often but always appreciate the insights from others. I am asking for your prayers for my adult daughter. She has recently been diagnosed with severe liver disease that will likely require transplant. The disease is believed to be linked to underlying autoimmune disorders. We just got the news and are struggling for acceptance. It is very hard to find peace at this moment. I am both angry and devastated and afraid. I know God is faithful and loves my daughter more than I can imagine. But right now peace is not to be found as I question why. Please keep my daughter in your prayers and pray that I can be strong for her as we move into next steps and treatment.
Linda, please know I will be praying for all of you. God has not forgotten your daughter.
It’s honor to pray for you Linda J- I lift your daughter up to the Lord for healing, and you as a mother, to keep your eyes on the Lord, and to be that anchor through him for your daughter in this valley.
Oh Linda, covering your daughter and you in prayers, as you navigate this season.
Praying for her now in Jesus name, complete healing.
Dear Linda, I am praying for a healing miracle for your daughter, wisdom for her care team, and strength and peace for all of your family. ❤️
Lifting your dear daughter in prayer for complete healing from our great physician. And peace and strength for your heart during this trying time.
Prayers for you and your daughter. May our LORD be your rock and fortress as you navigate this devastating diagnosis. Love and prayers.
Prayers for you and your daughter Linda J. Prayers for the doctors to have wisdom. Praying the Lord’s peace around all of you! We have a God of miracles. Hold onto Him!
What a difficult and scary diagnosis to receive – I’m sorry. Praying for the Lord’s hand to be at work, for healing, wisdom, guidance and great peace.❤️
Praying for you Linda, and for your daughter. I have an adult daughter myself and it would be so hard for this mama heart to hear this news. Praying that God will take away all your fears and anxieties and give you peace. ❤️
I am so very sorry about this diagnosis. I can’t imagine how scary this must be. I will be covering both of you in prayers.
Praying for your daughter and for you!
Echoing our sister’s beautiful words of encouragement for you, your daughter, and het medical team! ❤ sending hugs to each of you.
Linda, I will be praying for you and your daughter and your whole family. I pray that the Holy Spirit brings you comfort and peace and strength. I pray for your daughter’s journey of healing and that a liver new liver will be available very soon.
Prayers for you Linda and your daughter. I was a kidney donor and am very familiar with the donation process. I pray for the doctors to have wisdom in your daughters case. That all will go smoothly. For you to have peace, strength, and acceptance. In Jesus name.
Linda,
I’m sorry you are dealing with this. We are dealing with a similar situation. Our adult son has an autoimmune related disease that has affected his lungs. He is being evaluated for transplant. I will be praying for you and your daughter. It’s scary with an uncertain future. I am trying to not to think to far ahead or I get overwhelmed. I love this quote by Corrie Ten Boom; “ Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Hugs, Mama!
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Praying Linda! I know this heavy information at this time of year.
What a wonderful analogy with the sharpie. A picture of sin and how hard it is to remove. ❤️
From the reading, “sin brought death to everything “. That’s a sobering reality.
yes, thank you! In a stand alone…it is powerful!
How many Christmases do I feel disappointed afterwards- did I get them enough, did they enjoy it enough, did I teach them the reason for the season?? And now it’s all over…and I spent all that money…! It always seems to go that way.
In my older years I quit buying all the presents.Because truly they all get too much anyway, and we all buy what we want throughout the years these days. I used to even be a “gifts” in the 5 love languages. I do love to give and get, but I found that it is much more fun when it is not expected.
Aren’t we so thankful that we don’t have to go find an animal, go to a temple far away and sacrifice to cleanse away, just to repeat over again each year. The veil was torn when Jesus died that day on Calvary. Many still are stuck in legalistic ways, but Jesus is the mediator. You/me can pray right to our Almighty Father, Creator, because we know His son, we are his children, we are co-heirs. Yes, our Father still gives us correction and discipline out of love, but we are saved through his mercy and grace!!! That should give us an eternal, ever-lasting PEACE. What a gift! Nothing we do to earn it!
Lord, thank you for the gift of peace that keeps and guards us, supports and sustains us through it all. You give our souls rest, in the peaceful valley near the stream of life. I want that peace to be my anchor daily, when I get anxious or fearful, or upset or dissatisfied, or feel like I’m drowning- let me set my eyes on You! Let you by my lighthouse that guides my ways, be the lamp at my feet for each step. You are my rock, my anchor, my all and all. Thank you, In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
Thank you Rhonda, I needed this.
❤ that last paragraph you wrote -Beautiful!!! amen!
Amen!
Beautiful!
He is both our sacrifice AND our scapegoat!
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I’ll have to tell you our Sharpie story after preschool. I’ll never view that story the same way again… like the sin that touches everything…
I was reading yesterday’s Scripture and comments. Sweet Lynn, I’m right there with you. The times we miss church are hard! It’s just not the same watching the service streaming.
Gene seems to go from one problem to
another. This last week he had a bad cough and was in all week. Several times I had to leave him alone, something I don’t like to do. He was okay, slept most of the time. Thankfully he is better. We got word Friday that a biopsy of a plane e on his head was squamous cell carcinoma (the 3rd
one) so we’re waiting for the surgeon to contact us for removal.
I needed the reminder of Jesus as my peace. Discouragement is an easy sin to walk into because of feelings of loneliness. Dear sisters, if you know a caregiver, please just spend some time giving of yourself in whatever way possible. We can be overwhelmed with all the tasks needing to be done each day. Our husbands need contact with other men. We love them with all that we are. Caring for them is our privilege in this season of life. However we need care at times ourselves!
Thank you for letting me vent a little this morning and your prayers are so very much needed and appreciated.
Love y’all (I am born and bred Southerner)❤
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This, exactly my prayer and what I hoping to convey when I responded to Lynn’s comment yesterday! Praying your church family come along side YOU, Lynn and all the caregivers to give you all “a-much-deserved” break! It’s OK to “vent.” We are here for you! Vent away, we all have listening ears and will continue to pray for you. For a short season, when my dad had his leg amputated, I watched my mom do the same. My kiddos were little back then making it challenging for me, but we did come over as much as we could. My sisters who did not have children would sometimes come and taking them both out. I can still hear my daddy say: “my sissy is here!” My daddy LOVED his little granddaughter! We miss him every day!
Precious Linda, I feel you sister! The role of caregiver is a lonely place to be. Everyone is going about their lives and our lives are standing still. I can’t leave Jack home alone at all and getting him out is a lot of work. He really doesn’t want to get out so we rarely do. I pray for you and our other caregivers every day. God has got us, sister! ❤️
Praying for you Linda in NC and for Gene. I pray that you both will have people from your community, church, or home services that will come into your lives at just the right time to be a friend, a listening ear, a help when needed.
My friend and neighbor was a caregiver for her husband for a few years and we used to just walk around her circle driveway and talk. Around and around we went. Her husband would be in his recliner by the window so that we could see him and check on him with each trip around. Sometimes she would have to go in to check on him and then we would continue around. Everyone needs someone especially when caregiving, I pray that you both have those someone’s. Sending hugs.
Prayers and hugs for you sweet Linda. These days are difficult. We don’t mind the venting at all and we can pray specifics when you share.
Praying for you and Gene Linda!
Dear Linda, continued prayers for you as you care for Gene and for @Lynn from Alabama as you care for Jack.
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I wish I lived close by to each of you – I would gladly come and sit to relieve you for a bit. Praying that someone can step up and step in so that each of you can have some time for yourselfs, if even for a short while. Hugs from NJ! ❤️❤️
Same here! I do live near Linda’s daughter so I could send her a care package, but don’t have contact info. I am on yahoo mail as ceegeesrt, sisters.
It’s ok to vent. Praying for you and Gene! Thanks for the reminder to be there for the caregivers we know.
I watched my mom be a caretaker to my dad. I was a caretaker for my son. It is hard and lonely. Thank you for the reminder to reach out to those in this very hard season of life.
My heart has been heavy the past week, and reading this “Whenever the peace we long for in this season feels just out of reach, may we be gently reminded that Christ’s sacrifice has already secured true peace for us in Him,” is a reminder I needed today. While I’ve felt peace in many ways as we navigate the challenges after the housefire, one area that has been especially hard is my marriage.
I humbly ask for prayers for my marriage. Living with my mother-in-law—who is truly a lovely person—has brought up unexpected issues. It’s surfaced things in my husband’s relationship with his mom that I wasn’t aware of, and also revealed areas in our marriage that we hadn’t noticed before. I feel like this season might be an opportunity to work on those things, but it’s been challenging since my husband doesn’t seem to acknowledge there’s a problem, even when I’ve tried to bring it up. Honestly, it’s frustrating, and I would be so grateful for your prayers as we navigate this. Thank you.
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Praying.
Oh yes, Maria, I could so see how this could be a new season for you. Also, just you reminding us of the fire and how you lost everything…including your “Christmas decorations and memories, and your way of celebrating in your house…” It must be many emotions. Praying for you in this season of so much–I will pray for your marriage, and your loss, to have peace.
I needed the reminder as well. And I will pray for your marriage.
Praying for you, Maria!
Prayers sweet sister.
Marriage is not easy under the best of circumstances! I’m praying!
You have been on my mind and heart so many times in this last week after we lost so much in a fire. You lost so much more and I’m just so sorry Praying for you as you navigate the grief of loss, the stress of all the details and the new insights into your marriage.
Praying for your marriage and for the unexpected issues that have come up… One thing is for sure, non of it was “unexpected” to God. He sees and knows and possibly it has taken living with your mother-in-law to bring to light areas in your marriage that need work and growth.
May God give you strength, wisdom and peace through it all. ❤️
Praying for you and your husband.
❤❤❤ Trust me when I say I understand, not the M-I-L part, but the frustration and challenge, yes! I feel well qualified to pray for you!
Praying for you sweet Maria.
True peace is already ours in Him ❤️
I really enjoyed this this morning, I’m always uncomfortable reading about the sacrifices, the blood, and the killing but I loved how the writer wrote at the end how this reminds us or the Jewish people at the time that their sin does cause pain and does cost and they do have to pay a price. that was the physical reminder. Just like taking communion- reminding us of the sacrifice and the promise. Thank you Lord for providing Peace that this world cannot give. But you freely bestow upon your children.
Jesus’s sacrifice = unfathomable love.
It’s at the foot of the cross that I see, I understand, I gain perspective. My eyes are opened to my sin with God’s great redeeming love. One sacrifice. God’s love. For me. For us. Thank you Jesus.
The Sharpie incident is identical to our own lipstick incident but it did contaminate everything. What was new and clean was never the same. It was stained just like we are by sin. That Jesus became sin for us is beyond what I could do or deserve. So thankful for a Savior who loves us so much!
Whenever the peace we long for during this season seems just out of reach, may we be reminded that because of Christ’s sacrifice, true peace is already ours in Him. What a great reminder that we already have the peace we need through Jesus. This week is full of juggling schedules, kids performances, work parties, and the list goes on. Help me to sit and remember where my Peace comes from.
Lord, thank you for hope and peace through your Son, Jesus. I pray I never forget the greatness of this as I live here on earth in a hurried culture. Lord, thank you that you are like no other and my sins and the sins of my brothers and sisters in Christ have been washed clean. You are truly amazing. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on that light and not blinded by the darkness of my sin. Thank you for confession to you, God, forgiveness, repentance, and restoration. Amen!
Thank you Jesus my Savior.
This was really good. To see why He is the Lamb of God and why we no longer have a veil between us and God.
Jesus’ sacrifice is hard for me, a mere human, to grasp, to wrap my mind around. In a sudden, critical situation, many people would react immediately to protect a loved one with their own life – without any conscious thought or should I/shouldn’t I mental gymnastics. Christ deliberately, intentionally gave His life for the redemption of my sin – so thankful!!
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In todays reading about the sacrificial process, there was plenty of time, as they prepared themselves and the animals, to think about the sins committed since the last sacrifice, to grieve their choices.
Do I need to spend more time thinking about my choices rather than a quick ‘oops, forgive me’ ??
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From the devo, “One of the most sadistic tools of the enemy is to convince us that our sin isn’t that damaging.” Sadistic could easily be replaced with effective … this tactic started with Eve, did God really say? … so effective that it’s still his go-to lie, always be on the lookout for the lies of the evil one!!
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Today’s verses brought to mind The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers, and the song Jesus Messiah (Chris Tomlin) … He made Him who knew no sin ….
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SARAH M – praying for the urgent need about your daughter’s upcoming release, for God’s protection over you from danger and for her healing
So good, Searching!
Great word, SEARCHING! As Mary pondered these things in her heart, so must we.
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I read that book a few years ago!
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Jesus Messiah is a regular song at our church… Love it! I went in search of another song we sing, but haven’t found it yet.
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Oh how our definition of peace and God’s definition differ. My peace is my boys to not fight, God’s peace is total erasing of my sins and freedom from guilt. I have this small view, God has an eternal view. He gave it all for me, may I lay my life down daily for the peace that he gives.
I was struck as some mentioned about Aaron’s sons being killed for entering the Tent without sacrificing their sins. How many times to I go to God without confessing my sin. Lord Jesus thank you for your ultimate sacrifice so we have the privilege of entering God’s presence regularly. May I not take it for granted!
That’s good, I need to consider this more.
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I too ask for prayers for others without acknowledging my one sin. Thank you for pointing this out.
It’s always hard for me to think about how they had to sacrifice animals. I appreciated how she explained that this connected them to the devastation of their sins. Jesus, thank you for taking our sins and dying our death so that we could be reconciled to you and made right forever!
Yesterday our pastor stated “Jesus didn’t come to simply give us peace. He came to BE our peace.” Jesus IS peace. As we take Him as our own we can have that everlasting and eternal peace with us always.
Amen. Thank you -Jesus!
“One of the most sadistic tools of the enemy is to convince us that our sin isn’t that damaging. We easily become numb to its nasty nature, so even the act of sacrificing an innocent animal reminded the people that their sin brought devastation.” This thought really hit me today because it is so tru so me. I wonder how differently I would view my sin if I had to sacrifice an animal for it again and again. I’m convicted because I don’t see my sin seriously enough, it’s not like I’m committing murder or any other grievous sin. My sins are less obvious, they are of the heart and mind. The thoughts I have about others, the walls I put up, the resentments and unforgiveness, the judgement of others. Yesterday I heard again the testimony of a young man who is now 27 but at the age of 15 had a near death experience and went to heaven. He said he was face to face with Jesus and all the good and bad things he had done were before him. He was then asked if he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and after he said “yes”, he was ushered into heaven only to be sent back to earth because he was told “he has work to do”. It’s an unbelievable testimony and if you get a chance check it out on our FB page. Lord, I asked for you to break my heart for what breaks yours in regards to the pain and suffering of others. Today I ask that you do the same but in regards to my sin. Help me to see the severity of it and to appreciate the gift of your son Jesus who died to save me from them and who covers me with his blood. Amen.
Tami that caught my attention as well. I too easily brush past my heart sins.
Amen, Lori.
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I would be sacrificing multiple times each day. (Sad emoji)
*Tami! Sorry!
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Lori said something profound as well. I see her post right below yours.
Tami, after hearing this testimony, I highly recommend the documentary “After Death” if you haven’t seen it. It’s a case study produced by Angel Studios, interviewing medical staff and people who have witnessed or experienced near death experiences and encounters with Jesus or hell. It is pretty intense with lots of scientific and medical evidence alongside the accounts. I love that it leaves it up to the viewer to decide what they believe about it. It is interesting to ponder, either way. ❤️
Oh thank you for reminding me I still want to see that! I read a book similar years ago, and it was amazing how people from many different cultures saw much of the same!
Reading through the details of the process of forgiveness the Israelites and the priests had to work through under God’s direction I’m intrigued by the procedure – sprinkle on the east side, sprinkle 7 times, the washing of clothes, etc. I know all of this has special meaning but I look forward to asking God about each detail and ‘why’ some day! Reading through these specifics this morning, I am reminded that Aaron and the Israelites went through this process likely with contemplation and intention for forgiveness. Their minds were filled with mindfulness of their sins and the process to temporarily cleanse them. How easily I take my ‘easier’ access to Jesus for granted sometimes! My prayer can be so quick and easy because Jesus has made the sacrifice but God please remind me that this access does not minimize my sin. I want to always remember the cost of this peace!
I need to look at the “meanings” too. The seven makes sense to me, as a number of completion.
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And I take my access to Him for granted as well, Lori. I think we all do. ❤️
Great points Lori and yes I agree. It’s so easy to say sorry and move on without really giving it much thought.
Amen
The 2nd goat is the “scapegoat”.
Jesus’ death:
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Violent
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Horific.
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Bloody.
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Unjust.
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Humiliating.
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Scandalous.
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This is what our sin deserved.
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Instead, we receive PEACE with God.
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Unfathomable!
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Praying for you Shes.
Have a blessed Monday.
We never want to think or seem we are described as sinners this way. But we are. Thank you Lord for Your redeeming blood.
❤️
Such a great visual reminder of his sacrifice!
Thank you!❤️
I had to copy this down!
Oh, dear Jesus, there is not enough gratitude in this world to adequately thank you for being the spotless lamb of God. Because a your sacrifice , I am free from the bondage of sin. The peace that that brings me is supernatural. Please help me to be bold to share you with others and to encourage those around me. Help to soften my heart to see people how you do. Amen!
AMEN
These scriptures really moved me this morning. The sacrificial system seems so strange and barbaric sometimes, and weirdly specific. But today, I was just so awed by God’s symbolism, how these requirements that were given to His people so long ago, had meaning for us, in the current day. Everything points to Jesus in the OT. It just amazes me sometimes when I really think about it.
I appreciated the part in the devotion that pointed out that the Enemy likes to make us think that our sin isn’t that bad, but God’s sacrificial system was there as a physical reminder that sin makes everything dark, it is death to everything it touches. And it spreads, it can’t be stopped but through repentance and forgiveness.
From HRT: The sacrifices were not wrong, but they were incomplete. The people of God knew, “I will have to do this again.” They would have to return over and again because their sin problem would persist and the sacrifice would again be needed.
I am so grateful this morning that I do not need to keep sacrificing, year and after year, but that Jesus covered my sin once and for all. May I never take that for granted.
Thank you Lord for the sacrifice you made! Merry Christmas everyone.
Aaron couldn’t go to the Holy place whenever he wanted. That is so different from now. The Bible tells us to go boldly to the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16). I am so grateful that Jesus paid the price as the spotless lamb so that we can do that. We go through Jesus. He made it all possible.
Have a blessed Monday Sisters. Keeping you and your requests in prayer.
And thereby reconciling us to the Father and giving us eternal peace!! Halleluiah and Praise the Lord.
Yes, and Amen! What a merciful, wonderful God – to allow each of us access to His throne room!
Amen!