Living Sacrifice

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"Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit" (Lk 23:46)

The word Abraham used for the sacrifice of his son Isaac was "worship" (Gen 22:2,5). The self-sacrifice of Christ is the most supreme offering in history. When Jesus commended His spirit into the hands of His Father, the God of heaven and earth received worship that is unparallelled. About this the Son of God had already said in His farewell address when He left heaven for earth, "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me" (Heb 10:5-7).

No worship is so sweet-smelling before the Throne of God like the offering of our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1). This is the crowning lesson the death of Christ teaches us (Eph 5:1,2). Also no other worship takes us so close to the intimate presence of God. When Jesus gave Himself up into the hands of the Father, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Lk 23:46; Mt 27:50,51). The way into the Holiest was no more closed!

Offering of our bodies to God as a living sacrifice simply means making every organ of our bodies available as an instrument of righteousness so we may say no to all the allurements of the unrighteous and ungodly systems of the world (Rom 6:13,19). This is both a crisis experience and an ongoing one. The Bible calls us to constantly reckon ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God (Rom 6:11). This will make every day of the week good — Good Sunday, Good Monday,... Good Friday, Good Saturday!

According to Matthew when Jesus met His disciples for the first time after Resurrection, His word of greeting was, "Rejoice!" Their response is graphically stated as, "They came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him" (Mt 28:9). Expressions of adoration!

Mary Magdalene thought she was talking to the gardener. But when Jesus addressed her as "Mary," she instantly recognized Him and in excitement shouted, "Rabboni!" Overwhelmed with joy she wanted to cling to Him (Jn 20:15-17). Expressions of affection!

Then there was Thomas. When Jesus showed him His wounds, He exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:27,28). Expressions ofamazement!

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Sweet and beautiful for Thee!                (Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879)

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