Empty Hands

A constant theme in the old and new testament is sacrifice. From the moment man fell the plan was already is place for the redemption of mankind. A perfect sacrifice must be made to bridge the gap between the creator and the created. God's perfect moral nature demands the penalty for sin is death. Turning to the book of Psalms 50 verses 5-15 we read "Bring my faithful people to me- those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices. Then let heaven proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge. O my people, listen as I speak. Here are my charges against you , O Israel: I am God, your God! I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly bring to my alter. But I want no more bulls from you barns; I want no more goats from you pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. Every bird of the mountains and all the animals of the field belong to me. If I were hungry, I would not mention it to you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. I don't need the bulls you sacrifice; I don't need the blood of goats. What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill you vows to the Most High. Trust me in times of trouble, and I will rescue you., and you will give me the glory." Our sacrifices are acceptable to God but only when we realize the significance behind them. Ritualistic worship will get you no where. The answer to the question of what does God want from us is answered many places in the Bible. One such place is in the book of Matthew Chapter 19: 16-22 as Jesus is speaking to the rich man. "Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good things must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why ask me what is good? Jesus replied. Only God is good, But to answer your question, you can receive eternal life if you keep the commandments. Which ones? the man asked. And Jesus replied: Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Honor your father and mother, Love your neighbor as yourself. I've obeyed all of these commandments, the young man replied, What else must I do? Jesus told him, If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you have and give money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, Then come, follow me. But when the young man heard this, he went sadly away because he had many possessions." Jesus was teaching we must be willing to give up anything to follow him, mankind must let nothing stand between us and God. Looking closely what do we really have to give? The truth is we have only empty hands to bring to Jesus. His sacrifice paid the ultimate price for our bondage. All we can do is come to him with a humble heart and offer ourselves by saying Christ Jesus here I am, I have nothing to bring but I accept the responsibility for my sin and believe the blood you shed bought me, paid the price so I may have right standing with God. It really is that simple. The response from Peter to the story was the same one we have today in verse 27 "Then Peter said to him, We've given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?" The tables turn again and our selfish nature wanting to know what is in it for me. Jesus answers in verse 29 "And every one who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will received an hundred times as much in return and have eternal life." We really can only bring ourselves to Christ and because he loves us so much we have eternal live to gain. It all begins with one simple prayer. Won't you bring him your offering today?