The subject this month is “Sacrifice”; I could write about the theological meaning of sacrifice, and I could take you to the books of Leviticus and Numbers. I could explain to you all the ritual duties of the priests in the Temple, the need for obedience to God, and we would see the word “sacrifice” repeated dozens of times. But in our attempt to gain an understanding of sacrifice, we would probably become bored with the infinite details.
How do I write something that will not just be a great read, but a piece that will grip our hearts and bring about transformation? I have wrestled with how to approach this subject, I have searched God’s Word, I have looked at my own life and I’ve thought about how, when and where sacrifice has been evident.
I’ve considered the lives of men and women like Cain and Abel, Abraham and Isaac, Esther, and the Apostles. However, there is only one place that can give us a realistic glimpse: Golgotha, where my Lord was slain for me! When we wonder what it is must be like to sacrifice, there is only ONE we can look at – Jesus Christ. It was my sin that sent Him to the cross!
We must turn our hearts, our minds, our eyes and our ears to Him: we need to be reminded what our sin cost our Saviour. It is not about condemnation; it is about reckless love. In Revelation 2:5, Jesus tells us to remember from where we have fallen. The church in Ephesus was known for all their good works, but they were also known as a loveless church because all their good works did not please the Lord. His desire was to receive their reckless love, a love that sacrifices self.
What is Jesus wanting us to remember?
We must allow Holy Spirit to search our hearts, to reveal whether our whole being is on fire for Him. It may be painful to see how our hearts have become lethargic and comfortable. We know God’s Word, and we have many works to show – we appear polished and refined – but our walk is unadventurous and powerless. Nevertheless, we have an opportunity to remember His great and merciful love, an opportunity to repent, and to be saved from living an insignificant life that is void of love and power.
I need to live from a place of being mindful of my past, not live in my past, not be guided by my past. I need to know what I have been saved from and what I have been saved into. Remembering is not meant to oppress me so that I am driven by fear, guilt, and shame. But it is the place where I am again filled with wonder and awe of His reckless love for ME – His sacrifice demonstrates love!
I am going to take this moment to help us remember. I have no desire to stir up emotionalism but to, once again, have us confronted with who He is and His burning love for us.
Firstly, let us remember His great love for us – we must remember that He will never remind us of our sin. He will never hold it against us. The only constant is His undying, relentless love for us: He will remind us how much He wants us. We will find that He is so in love with us, and we are pure and beautiful in His eyes. When we remember this, we will again be astounded by His amazing grace, that He loves and accepts us, regardless of our past. It is in this tenderness of His gaze that our love is rebirthed because we realise that He has forgiven us of so much. Luke 7:47 (ESV): ‘Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’
Secondly, let us remember His pursuit of us – He loved you before you even knew Him; He loved you when you had no desire for Him. In the seasons you hid from Him, He ran after you. In the times you are too busy for the secret place, He remains waiting for a moment of your time. He is always moving closer!
Song of Solomon 2:9 (TPT): Let me describe him: he is graceful as a gazelle, swift as a wild stag. Now he comes closer, even to the places where I hide. He gazes into my soul, peering through the portal as he blossoms within my heart.
Finally, let us remember the purity of Jesus – in comparison to Him, our sin is detestable. Perhaps we need to consider the pain our sin caused His heart and, even now, how our sin will grieve Him. However, we also need to remember there is nothing we can ever do that will separate us from Him, from His love. What if we experienced the anguish of sin? Would it help us to walk a path that leads to a deeper, affectionate love for Jesus?
There is a road of love, that we should be ready to walk, where we are moved, and marked by amazing grace, a road pronounced with conviction and deep, deep gratitude.
Take a moment to remember, to be still at His feet, and share your heart with Him. Give Him time so that you will know His Presence and, once again, be overcome by His love. Meditate on these words, as the Bridegroom speaks to His Bride, and hear her response:
Song of Solomon 5:2 (TPT):
“The Bride
After this I let my devotion slumber,
but my heart for him stayed awake.
I had a dream.
I dreamed of my beloved—
he was coming to me in the darkness of night.
The melody of the man I love awakened me.
I heard his knock at my heart's door
as he pleaded with me:
The Bridegroom-King
‘Arise, my love.
Open your heart, my darling, deeper still to me.
Will you receive me this dark night?
There is no one else but you, my friend, my equal.
I need you this night to arise and come be with me.
You are my pure, loyal dove, a perfect partner for me.
My flawless one, will you arise?
For my heaviness and tears are more than I can bear.
I have spent myself for you throughout the dark night.’”
Love
Zelda
Women of Reverence welcomes our contributor Zelda Cronje.
She is a wife to Hennie Cronje, a mom to two adult children and a gran to three gorgeous grandchildren.
Zelda is a business woman, speaker and Bible Teacher. She is a pastors wife at Cornerstone Church Bedfordview, Johannesburg and a team member of the NCMI Global Apostolic and Prophetic Team.
Zelda is available to be booked to teach and or speak the word of God at local churches and or ladies events.