Today’s scripture: Hebrews 9:23-28 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
It is hard for me to imagine what it was like to live in Old Testament times, offering animal sacrifices and burnt offerings as a way of forgiveness. I am not one to do anything like that to animals. It would be hard for me.
Of course, the same could be said of Jesus as an offering in terms of being beaten and hanging on the cross. But in the end, it was the people rebelling against Jesus that ultimately put him to death. They were not offering a sacrifice, and they were not seeking forgiveness. They just wanted him gone because they had a hard time seeing Jesus as “Sovereign” of the Jews, and his words and teaching were far from the “old covenant” that the religious leaders of the time were accustomed to. There was no compassion or kindness shown toward Jesus. It seems ironic that they were treating Jesus the exact opposite of the way he was teaching.
How about us? Are we living the new covenant? Have we put aside the days of offering sacrifices? Sometimes it seems we sacrifice each other in the way we treat each other. Look at the wars and fighting in the world, and the senseless killing, even in our streets here in America.
Do I live like I am forgiven? It is never easy to look at self and do a self-assessment and become more self-aware. That takes a lot of work. Looking to forgive, looking at living in God’s mercy and showing that mercy toward others is not always so easy. It takes time spent with God to help us and to mold us to be the people whom Jesus taught us to be. It is so much easier to assess others and offer them up as a “burnt offering.”
Thought for the day: When was the last time I assessed myself, my motives, and how I live, as someone who is forgiven and one who forgives others?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.