Blood and sacrifice

“I don’t read the Old Testament,” she said. “I don’t like it. It’s too bloody.”  She cited the blood of battle and sacrifice.

Her words followed my announcement that our small group would be studying passages in the Old Testament. 

 And I knew what she was talking about. You don’t have to read very far before there it is again. 

Blood and sacrifice.

The work of Christ

Our American friend was older, but young in her faith. Decades before, she married her husband in the United States, then moved to his home in Pakistan.  

And met Christ through the witness of believers who befriended her in Karachi.

 Others told me stories of her former hard-edged cynicism. Expressed amazement at the work of Christ in her life. I only witnessed the evidence of her transformation. An elegant woman with a joyful spirit.

His Word is true 

We did begin that study in the Old Testament. And she joined in. Curious, I think. But ever eager for truth and fellowship.

Early on in this small group, our Malaysian sister reminded us that each word is in the Bible because He ordained it to be there.  And His Word is true. 

We walk by faith and we read the Word of God by faith, she said. Trusting all of it is His message to us.

Even the bloody parts of battle and sacrifice.

The theme of sacrifice

The theme of sacrifice moves relentlessly through the Old Testament and into the New. It figures in the plan and purpose of God as He sets apart a people for Himself.

It highlights the gravity of sin separating us from a holy God. And reveals the way of atonement. 

That day in the Garden, God sacrificed an animal to clothe the sinners, Adam and Eve. 

Then Abel offered the acceptable sacrifice—some of the firstborn of his flock (Genesis 4:4). 

There were the sacrifices of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, the prophets, the kings, and more. 

Seeing Christ

As we studied together, we noted that “the life is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11).  And how blood was shed in the sacrifice offered to the Lord Most High as an atonement for sin. 

The study of the Tabernacle was the turning point. It opened our friend’s eyes and changed her perspective of the Old Testament. She began to see Christ in the design and plan of this tent of worship and its furnishings. 

And His purpose was made plain.  Even in the blood and sacrifice.

Messiah revealed

When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, the thread of the Messiah is revealed. Running through the Law and the Prophets and the Poetry. Breathing mystery and light in the ordinary and extraordinary lives of God’s people. 

Making sense of the blood and sacrifice.

These glimpses of Christ appear in the midst of passages that seem to address situations in that long-ago time and space. Yet they prophesy the future. 

Telling of a coming One.

And one day Jesus Himself links all of these Scriptures together on that road to Emmaus.  A generous revelation to two grieving disciples trying to make sense of the cross. Their eyes are opened to see. 

For on that cross the Lamb of God shed His blood for the atonement of sin. The ultimate blood sacrifice.

Once for all.

Perseverance in the Word

Our friend continued participating in the Bible study. And one evening she shared that studying the Old Testament had changed her heart toward all of Scripture. It was vitally important to her now. She treasured God’s Word. And hungered for it. 

“But there seems to be a plot out there to keep me from studying my Bible.”

She explained that every time she tried to study the Bible, she was interrupted by one thing or another and rarely able to continue. Without fail. 

One morning she was determined. She was going to sit down at her desk with Bible, pen and notebook. And not get up until she had completed the day’s lesson.

She told us it was a conscious effort that day just to walk over to the chair. When she sat down and opened her Bible, the pen suddenly flew out of her hand and hit the opposite wall. 

But in the midst of such opposition, she didn’t give up. She picked that pen up off the floor and persevered. 

Drawing close to the Lord, she continued eating the manna of His Truth. 

All of it. 

Alleluia.

What about you?

Are you reading the Word of God by faith as you walk with Him? Have you watched for the Messiah in the Old Testament lately?

Related posts: Unexpected altar ; Tents and altars