When Sacrifice Became A Gift
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What if the sacrifices were never about punishment… but about love?
📖 When Sacrifice Became a Gift
I started my “Bible in a Year” again.
And once again, I found myself completely in awe of the Old Testament.
I know not everyone says that.
Some people hurry through it to get to Jesus.
But I love watching God reveal His character.
I love seeing His patience.
His relentless love for people who wander.
People like me.
This week I landed in the passages about sacrifices.
And if I’m honest, in the past I’ve found them… a little boring.
Lists. Instructions. Animals. Repetition.
I could almost feel my eyes starting to glaze over when I caught myself and said,
Okay, Joelle. Not this time. Pay attention.
And I prayed a simple prayer:
God, open my eyes to what You have for me here.
And wow.
He did.
📜 What I Thought I Knew
All this time, I thought sacrifices were punishment.
A consequence.
A price tag.
A reminder of how badly people had failed.
Something heavy.
Something required.
Something that kept people aware of their guilt.
But that’s not what I saw this time.
💛 What God Showed Me
This time I saw sacrifice as a gift of love.
An invitation.
A way for people to come honestly, openly, remorsefully before God—and then leave knowing something had been done about their sin.
They didn’t walk away wondering if God forgave them.
They knew.
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves.”
— Leviticus 17:11
Given.
Not demanded in anger.
Given in mercy.
🤲 Meeting Them Where They Were
Without Jesus and without the Holy Spirit living inside them, they didn’t understand grace the way we do.
They didn’t have the cross yet.
They didn’t have the empty tomb yet.
They didn’t know unconditional forgiveness the way we can know it now.
So God met them right where they were.
Just like He always does.
He created a system they could understand.
Something visible.
Tangible.
Personal.
He even made provision based on what they had. Some brought more. Some brought less. But everyone had a way.
No one was shut out.
God didn’t just want them forgiven.
He wanted them to feel forgiven.
💔 The Part That Undid Me
Because here’s the truth about me:
God forgives me faster than I forgive myself.
I say I’m sorry.
I repent.
I ask for mercy.
And then I keep carrying the shame.
But sacrifice showed me something different.
God wanted His people to leave lighter.
Certain.
Restored.
🌿 From Boring to Beautiful
So now when I read about sacrifices, I don’t see punishment.
I see a Father making a way for His children to come home again.
I see compassion.
I see understanding.
I see a God who knows human hearts need assurance.
And instead of rolling my eyes, I whisper:
Thank You for loving them like that.
Thank You for loving me like that.
✝️ And Then I See Jesus
Because every sacrifice points forward.
To the final One.
The One who would not just cover sin—but remove it.
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
— John 1:29
What they experienced in part, we now experience in fullness.
Not just covering.
Cleansing.
Not temporary relief.
Eternal redemption.
💭 Reflection
Do you believe you are forgiven…
but still struggle to feel forgiven?
What if God has always been trying to help you lay it down?
🙏 Prayer
Lord, thank You for meeting people where they are. Thank You for creating ways for us to understand Your mercy. Help me not only receive Your forgiveness but live like it is true. Teach me to walk away lighter. Amen.
👣 Practical Step
Today, when guilt tries to follow you, gently say: “That was covered.” Then move forward in freedom.
💌 Share With Someone
If this reminded you of God’s mercy, send it to someone who may still be carrying shame they were never meant to hold.
