Crawling off the Altar
Oct 25th, 2008 Posted in Faith | no comment »
Stone Altar
Under the ‘old law’, sacrifices were made to the Lord for many different reasons. Some were offerings of joy or thanks, some were sin offerings, and others commemorated feasts. The animal was slaughtered and placed on the altar and didn’t much have a choice. Israel made these sacrifices regularly, but there are numerous (scores) of accounts in the Old Testament where the Bible states that the people fell away from the Lord and no longer knew Him or what he had done for Israel (Judges 2:10, 2 Kings 17:6-20). It is clear that the sacrifice was not the only effective part of the transaction then, there was also a heart/mind component; the memory of the Lord and the willingness to follow His ways.
Today, we are told to give our bodies as ‘living sacrifices’ to our God (Romans 12:1). This brings several new dimensions to an ancient ritual. First, a live sacrifice can leave the altar. Second, a live sacrifice is personally involved in the transaction, living it and feeling it. Finally, a living sacrifice lasts longer than the old, dead sacrifice.
Let’s examine these dimensions as we look at what is happening in our post, post-modern culture.
I recently had a discussion on driving habits with a gentleman with whom I commute to work fairly regularly. This man is a consummate professional, erudite, well-spoken, and possesses a quick wit and ready answers; and he made a statement to me that I’ve heard often, “I don’t think that my going 10 mph over the speed limit is an issue between me and my God”.