In my reading this morning of Leviticus, I came across the burnt offering in chapter 1. It illustrates sacrifice in its purest form. A very valuable animal is given up wholly to God. Neither the offerer nor the priest gains much from the offering, other than the benefit of being found acceptable to God, which, in the final analysis, is the ultimate benefit.

This kind of sacrifice is looked at, from the outside, a waste. Just like the widow who gave all her money to the Lord would be looked at as failing to plan and prepare for the future. No different from the woman who broke the bottle of the most expensive perfume, anointing the feet of Jesus, and she was accused of wastefulness. This kind of talk and this kind of thinking I have seen. I have seen us give our worn out old things to God while we keep what is new and best for ourselves. I have seen some give their best to God, especially in the Navigator ministry, but most know little, including myself, of giving my best to God, with no hope of anything beyond His approval.

My heart resonates with the idea that this is the kind of sacrifice that God calls for from those who would be a disciple of Jesus – those who give up all to follow Christ. There is a cost, it is counted and have gladly paid it. When I give myself to God, as a living sacrifice, I am to do it totally, without reserve – that is pleasing to Him. I pray that God may enable me to practice this kind of sacrifice in my own life.

You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. – Leviticus 2:13  ESV

The very next chapter gives a little something extra. With all offerings there should be salt added, not honey, salt. Is it fair to say that salt embodies truth? Jesus told us to have salt in ourselves and Paul wrote advising us to let our speech be seasoned with salt. Is that the secret ingredient that makes sacrifice work? Having a healthy regard for truth preserves from having a compromising attitude. I think so, especially when I read the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Rebecca talks about this a little more in Sixty-six Books in a Year

Acts 5 actually has another great reference on a principle of sacrifice.

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. – Acts 5:41-42  ESV

I believe this chapter opened up the scene of physical suffering for the name of Christ for the first time. What was their reaction – joy! It is a reaction I believe I will see throughout this book – the history of the church. They responded to suffering and persecution just as Jesus taught them. Father, may I do the same.