Why Don’t We Offer Sacrifices Anymore?

The Old Testament is filled with sacrifices, which can feel strange to modern readers. So why were they there, and why don’t Christians practice them today?

In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw explains how the sacrificial system pointed forward to Jesus and why His death changed everything.

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Transcript

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If a modern animal rights activist were transported back to the Old Testament times, they'd have a pretty rough day. I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. Well, if you read through the Old Testament, you know that there are sacrifices everywhere. Lambs, goats, bulls, doves, again and again and again. Today it can feel strange to us. It's hard to wrap our minds around. So what was going on? Why did God require all of those sacrifices? Well, let's start with the fact that most of us have never seen anything like that. We have never stood outside the temple, smelled the smoke, watched an animal being offered as a sacrifice. We've never lived with those constant reminders that sin comes with a cost. The sacrifices weren't random religious rituals. They were teaching tools. They showed God's people that sin is serious business, and forgiveness isn't something you take lightly. Leviticus 17 11 says, For the life of the body is in the blood. The sacrifices were a vivid reminder that something had to die because of sin. Imagine living under that system. Every sacrifice reminded you that sin has consequences, and then you'd come back with another sacrifice and another, year after year, generation after generation. There was never a point where you could say, That's it, it's finished because it wasn't. But those sacrifices were never the final answer. They pointed forward to someone else, Jesus. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Everyone listening to John understood exactly what he meant. Hebrews 10, 12. But our high priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Jesus did what those sacrifices could never fully accomplish. He paid for sin once and for all. For centuries, God's people brought sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice. Then Jesus came. One sacrifice, good for all time. No expiration date. For the first time, it really was finished. That's why Christians don't offer sacrifices anymore. Lord, thank you for the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Help us never take your grace for granted. Give us a deeper appreciation for what Christ accomplished on the cross and the forgiveness we have through Him. In Jesus' name. Amen. The next time you read about sacrifices in the Old Testament, remember that the story is ultimately pointing to Jesus. If today's episode gave you a fresh appreciation for what Christ accomplished on the cross, be sure to follow Faith Fuel and come back for another devotional. I'm Bob Shaw. Peace and joy.