Amid all the preparations for entering the promised land, God took the time to make sure that his people had the clearest possible instructions about the minimum requirements for the sacrifices they were to bring before the Lord.

This was not new information but here it is laid out in a very simple and clear way, in order, from daily sacrifices, to weekly, monthly and finally the annual sacrifices, presented in the order they took place over the year. Seeing them all listed like this really brings home the huge scope of it all – the daily ritual, the preparation, the smell, the physical work.

The Israelites could not possibly have been able to forget the enormity of sin or the depth of their need for God’s grace amid these daily, weekly, monthly and yearly sacrifices. Each drop of blood spilled would have been a reminder.

As we read it today, we can reflect on how clearly all of this points to Jesus, the once and for all sacrifice that atones for us. The sacrifices described here all have their ultimate fulfilment in him, and point to the cross on which he died.

No more blood needs to be shed, since the blood of Jesus has paid it all, but our need of God’s grace remains. As we give thanks for what Jesus has done for us, let us also remember to bring our daily sacrifice – not the sacrifice of an animal, but our own lives laid down before the Lord.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH