THE PERFECT SACRIFICE
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.’” Genesis 22:11-12, ESV
Theme: Much more so than Isaac, Jesus is the beloved only Son who is the perfect sacrifice.
TRULY LOVED
Have you ever felt you were truly, fully loved? You were given an extravagant gift from someone who sacrificed to give it to you. You were offered forgiveness for an unforgiveable offense. Maybe you were given the gift of time and service when it was a difficult “ask” for you to make. Yet, you were helped—freely, willingly, and with great joy. Do you live daily, knowing and feeling incredibly loved by your Father God? Or do you feel less than, not good enough, or unworthy?
FOR YOU AND FOR ME
Isaac is the Old Testament, imperfect representative of the Messiah who was to come and die for us. Because of you and because of me, God made the ultimate sacrifice, more than any of us could imagine. Because He loved us, He gave His Son to die. “For your steadfast love is great above the heavens” (Psalm 108:4a, ESV). The NIV version translates it this way: “For great is your love, higher than the heavens.” God’s love for Jesus was just as great, yet He gave His perfect Son to gain multitudes of flawed, broken, and often disobedient children. He loves us, even in our sinful states. He loves us in spite of our hurts, habits, and hangups. He ALWAYS loves us, even when we disappoint Him and fall short of His plan for us.
Make It Personal: As you think about the gift you wish to give to show someone your love, do not forget the most Perfect Gift. God wants you to feel His love. He wants you to know it in your head, but He also wants you to experience it in a way that changes your life. He loves you so much that He gave His only Son, the perfect sacrifice to make you whole and give you peace.
Pray: Thank You, God, for sending Jesus my Savior. Thank You for giving me such a gift, and for sacrificing so much for me. Jesus, how can we repay You for offering Your life? How can we deserve Your love? We cannot, so thank You for freely giving it to us. Help us to cherish and experience Your love, pleasure, and care for us every day. In Your Name I pray, amen.
Read: 1 John 3:1-2; James 1:17-18; Romans 5:6-8; John 1:28-29; Isaiah 1:18; Ephesians 3:14-19
Weekly Memory Verse: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV