Temple Sacrifices and Mercy

Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.  Heb 10:11-14, 18

"Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin." Among ancient peoples, it was believed that the gods acted very much like any human ruler would when dealing with others. When they were offended, they reacted in anger, exacting revenge by causing all manner of chaos to befall any and all who had offended them. And like it was with all human masters who had been offended, it was possible to be "redeemed" from the wrath of the gods if an exacting price was payed to appease them. This was done by sacrificing valuable things on altars which were dedicated to the various gods. All things of value could be sacrificed, but the most valuable thing of all was human life itself, and so human sacrifice, offered to the gods, became foremost among all possible sacrifices.With Abraham, the understanding of God changes from polytheism to monotheism, from there being many gods to One God alone. But understanding just who God really is and what this means for mans relationship with God, will take time. One of the first things learned was that God did want human lives to be sacrificed to win back God's favour. The story of this lesson being learned is found in the book of Genesis ch. 22, the story of Abraham and Issac on Mount Moriah. Here, among the decedents of Abraham, the practice of sacrificing human life ends, but the practice of offering other sacrifices continues until the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. God does want something from us when we offend by our sinful acts. God wants our hearts - our hearts to change, to give up (sacrifice) our attachment to wrong-doing, and to embrace what is TRUTH, what is pleasing to God.  Jesus describes his mission in the world in this way: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Jo. 3:17 When the religious leaders are scandalized by his association with people whom they judged rejected by God, he responded: When our action are in contradiction to God's Truth we sin, and this is a direct offence against the person of God. But God does not take revenge against us for our sins, rather He acts to change us - to bring about a conversion in us to reject our sinful practice and embrace God's truth. What God wants is for us to be holy as He is holy. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1Pt. 1:13-16 We are about to enter an Extraordinary Jubilee Year that will focus on MERCY. This text lays out for us a clear agenda for our prayer in this coming year: Go and learn what this means,  ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’  For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mtt. 9:13

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