THE CHRISTMAS SACRIFICE…

ROMANS 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

OBSERVATION: Have you ever thought about the Christmas Sacrifice? When we think about Christmas our minds naturally go to thoughts of the birth of Jesus Christ, the gift of the Father’s love for His creation.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

It is because of this great gift, we are moved to give gifts to those we love during this season. Yet, in all of our giving, we tend to lose sight of what was really happening that wonderful Christmas morning when the Savior of the world was born in a humble manger. While the shepherds and wise men were focused on the Gift, God was focused on the Sacrifice that He had given.

Jesus’ sacrifice was not a partial sacrifice. He did not enter this world as the King of Kings but as a humble man who willingly emptied Himself of all His godly attributes so that He could share in all the struggles of this life and ultimately offer Himself as the sinless sacrifice for our sin, bearing our sin, shame, guilt, and the penalty of death.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

We tend to divide the life of Christ into His birth, and then His ministry, culminating in His suffering. On Christmas, we focus on the gift. On Easter, we focus on the sacrifice. Yet, the gift of Christmas is that the Eternal Word of God, the Logos, who existed with God and was God, entered this world as a living sacrifice. He was the lamb of God born to suffer for us from the moment of His birth until His final breath when He cried out in victory – “It is finished!”.

The focus of Christmas is the living sacrifice. It is Jesus’ willingness to become a man, to experience all that we suffer and experience in life – yet without sin. Jesus faced every temptation and ounce of suffering that every man and woman faces in their lives. He did this so that He could become the living sacrifice that could be offered as the sinless sacrifice to pay the penalty of our sin and destroy the power of sin, death, and the devil.

“…He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.“

As followers of Christ, we too are called to become living sacrifices. This is not in preparation for paying the penalty for our sins. Jesus Christ has once and for all paid the penalty through His atoning death on the cross and victorious resurrection from the dead. Our call to be a living sacrifice is to give glory to the one who walked before us. Jesus came to fulfill the will of the Father and we are called to do the same. We can only do this as we live in absolute surrender to His will through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The cross we are called to bear is not a cross of suffering. Rest assured, we will go through suffering in this life, but it is not to pay for our sins. Our cross is a cross of consecration. Our suffering is to bring glory to God as we learn to live in the fullness of the Spirit and die to our old nature and the propensity to live selfishly and outside of the perfect will of God for our lives. Paul tells us how we too can become living sacrifices that bring God glory.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

This Christmas many of us will struggle to find the perfect gift for a loved one. What do you get someone who has everything they need? What do you give the God who created everything you see? God does not need anything but He does desire something. He desires our hearts. He desires our sacrifice of praise and obedience. He desires our worship and consecration.

He desires a living sacrifice!

Heavenly Father, as I ponder on Your great gift to the world, grant me the grace to offer myself as a living sacrifice to You this Christmas. Help me to lay down every weight and sin that so easily distracts and keeps me from Your perfect will. Pour out Your Spirit upon me and help me to take up my cross and follow Jesus so that I may prove,

“…what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

In Jesus’ Name!