by Samuel
Ridout
There are two clearly distinct
sacrifices in Scripture—those that typify the work of Christ for us and
those that God values from us. We need hardly say that these must not be
confounded. The sacrifice of our Lord for us stands out in its solitary
grandeur and all-sufficiency. To attempt to add to it, to mingle a few shreds
of our "filthy rags," would be an insult to divine holiness, a grief
to divine love. The sacrifice of Christ stands alone—all sufficient, eternally
the same. He came "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb.
9:26). It is "a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor" (Eph.
5:2). This once-offered sacrifice is the solid rest of our souls for eternity,
the fruitful soil from which springs a harvest of good works to the praise of
God.
For men, too, when once the Great
Sacrifice is seen and rested upon, there are sacrifices of which God takes
account. It is these that we shall consider now.
1. A Broken Heart.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Psa. 51:17). Man boasts in his pride; his
excellence of strength, knowledge, and righteousness are what he thinks he can
offer to God. However many have found, like Cain, that God does not accept such
sacrifices. "The proud He knows afar off" (Psa. 138:6).
But look at the woman in the
Pharisee’s house. She has nothing to bring that speaks of anything in herself
but her sin and shame. Low at His feet, she rains upon our Lord the hot tears
of her penitent heart. Does He despise such an offering? No, rather, He
welcomes it with tenderest words of pardon and peace.
2. Sacrifices of Joy.
"Now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies … therefore will I
offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing … praises unto the
LORD" (Psa. 27:6). This seems the exact opposite of the broken and
contrite heart, but it is in full accord. There can be no true joy that does
not flow from previous grief over sin. And how sweet is this joy of salvation!
"Your joy no man takes from you" (John 16:22).
Let us notice from what this joy
springs. "The Lord is my light and my salvation" (Psa. 27:1). With
that knowledge the heart is delivered from fear, although the enemy may come in
as a host. The great desire of the heart has been answered for faith—to dwell
in the house of the Lord, to behold His beauty and to learn of Him (verse 4).
Thus the head is lifted up with joy, and the happy spirit pours out in
thanksgiving "sacrifices of joy." How it delights the heart of our
blessed God to accept such sacrifices, the gladness of a heart set free from
self and from fear, which can pour out its thanksgiving before Him, with never
a thought of its own merit. So writes the apostle, "Rejoice in the Lord
always; and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil. 4:4). Christ fills the heart, and
joy dwells with Him.
3. The Sacrifice of Praise
(Heb. 13:15). This is but another aspect of the joy of which we have been
speaking. That praise is confession of His Name. Praise is not a subjective
state, but rather the outflow of a heart engaged with the one Object—Christ the
Lord. The sacrifice that is like the offering up of incense to God is the
varied and blended perfections of our Lord. We gather these fragrant spices
from His Word, and then present them in true worship to our God.
4. Sacrifices of Works.
"To do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is
well pleased" (Heb. 13:16). Our relationships with God are not formal, but
vital. They produce appropriate fruit. We might speak of them as intensely
practical. Thus praise and worship, which are Godward, produce a manward
activity of love. So it was at Pentecost; the believers not only rejoiced in
God, but gladly gave of their substance for the need of their brethren. This we
might call the Levite service which is closely linked with priestly worship.
Indeed it is spoken of as a sacrifice that is well pleasing unto God (Phi.
4:18). How this elevates all true service! It is done to the Lord, and He ever
appreciates it.
May our hearts enter into these
blessed aspects of sacrifice, and thus be engaged in this priestly service
which glorifies Him who is the Object of God’s delight, and our only true joy.
(From Help and Food, Vol.
47.)