Episode Transcript
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Day 1 – Sacrifice
1. Brief Daily Focus - Sacrifice
What does Sacrifice mean to you? We don't practice sacrifices these days. But let’s ponder.
Let's start when Adam and Eve sinned. Sadly, this cut them apart from God. Their disobedience was – not trusting God's character and intentions. Tragically, intimate relationship was permanently shattered.
Yet, God so loves His children, He sacrificed an animal to cover their sins, bodies, and lives. Soberly, the first sacrifice was made. Then, sacrifices continued for centuries. Consequently, many animals were sacrificed as stand-ins for people's sins.
This temporary system was not God's desire or original design. Plus, it was not sufficient by itself. So, God became human - to be the once-for-all Sacrifice. No more animal sacrifices.
Once-For-All Sacrifice
Our once-for-all Sacrifice was called "The Word" before God packed Himself in a baby's body and was given a new name - "Jesus." Remarkably, God proved His love for you - literally altering His person. Essentially, Jesus - the Sacrifice - engaged in an incredible life purpose:
1. Show God's glory and grace.
2. Model God’s love.
3. Teach God's ways.
4. Heal broken bodies, minds, and hearts.
5. Provide a model - how to live connected to God.
6. Suffer condemnation of death - the punishment for sin.
7. Rise from the dead three days after being executed.
Jesus became the Sacrifice for all sin, people, centuries – and for you! Because God loves you deeply, He could not bear eternity without you. So, He bore the consequences that would keep you away. With passion, strength, and great cost to Himself, our Sacrifice established a path for you to become the person He created.
What would you do without this provision? Incidentally, have you responded to this amazing Sacrifice?
Sacrifice Scriptures
• “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29)
• “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.” (Is. 53:7; Acts 8:32)
2. Fun Activity
To celebrate the joy made possible by Sacrifice, decorate your home/room with something meaningful that focuses on the message of Easter: Jesus death and resurrection, new life, and spring.
Examples:
· Large spike or nail hung from a ribbon.
· Special picture of the resurrection or another Easter scene.
· A cross draped attractively with linen cloth.
· Fuzzy stuffed animals - symbolizing new life.
· Spring planter with sprouting flowers.
· Candy dish - jelly beans, chocolates.
· Easter window-cling pictures.
· Plastic egg ornaments of many colors, hung or placed here and there.
· Your own ideas.
3. Teaching Point
People decorate to celebrate something special. Since Easter is so meaningful, Jesus followers celebrate.
1. Jesus died for your sins, rose from death, and conquered all your eternal enemies. THAT’s big!
2. He gives hope and practical help every single day. THAT’s worth celebrating!
3. Ponder these questions and journal your thoughts. Perhaps share them with a friend and interact:
o Have you accepted Jesus, your Sacrifice, as your covering?
o Do you come close to Jesus each day? (Jas. 4:8)
o Have you sacrificed your agenda to live safely inside God's Sacrifice?
o Are you staying under the covering of His Sacrifice in all your daily situations?
Ask God to make "Sacrifice" very real to you this week.
