Let Our Lives Be Our Offering (Advent 2024)
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Let Our Lives Be Our Offering (Advent 2024)
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me;in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.” - (From Hebrews 10:5-6 itself referencing Psalm 40:6-8)
The Hebrew Scriptures suggest that God doesn’t desire our religious rituals and symbolism. God doesn’t desire our token sacrifices and offerings.
These scriptures suggest that God accepts them when they come from a sincere heart coupled with a real effort and desire to change for the better. In and of themselves, they are meaningless.
I’m not sure why this scripture is included in the Advent readings. It seems more like a Lent reading. Hebrews suggests that Jesus gave himself so completely and fully that God accepted his offering on everyone’s behalf.
Regardless of why this text is included here, we are invited to let our lives of love and service be our offering to God. When we sincerely give our minds , hearts, and bodies to this kind of devotion, God accepts us as God’s own.
I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.
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