Day 57

The theme for this week is sacrifice.  Recently you have read much on the various sacrifices that the Israelites were to perform in their worship of the Lord.  This week we are going to explore what it means for us to sacrifice.  
One of the key verses that will be brought up this week is Romans 12:1-2:  “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind He will accept.  When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”
May you, as you read this week, ponder the ways in which your life can be a living and holy sacrifice.

Leviticus 27; Numbers 1.  “The High Cost of Sacrifice”

The last chapter of Leviticus is concerned with redeeming that which was dedicated to the Lord.  The act of redemption was a major part of life for the Israelites.  For the 21st century Christian it is not something we often think about.  When is the last time you heard someone talk about redeeming?  If anything, we use the word to speak of getting even which isn’t the biblical meaning.
Redemption is an important concept for us though, because if you are in Christ then you have been redeemed (Titus 2:13-14).  You may have noticed the cost involved with redeeming in this chapter.  If someone or something is going to be redeemed there is always a cost.
So, if we are redeemed and if there is always a cost associated with redemption, then how are we to pay the cost?  Fortunately, for you and me, Jesus paid the cost for our redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19).  It is a cost far beyond what we could afford.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?