Expressions of Love

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:15-16, NIV)

When you love someone, you want to do things that make them happy. For example, if you're in a store and see something that reminds you of that person and what they enjoy, you likely purchase it to show affection. It doesn't have to be a large or expensive item, but they know in the gift that they were present with you when you found and purchased it.

In the Old Testament, God established a sacrificial system not out of cruelty or a desire for blood but to teach His people about the seriousness of sin and the cost of reconciliation. Because God is perfectly holy and just, sin created a barrier between humanity and Him that required atonement. The shedding of blood symbolized life given in exchange for sin, underscoring that sin leads to death and that the cost of forgiveness is weighty. These acts of atonement paved the way for restored fellowship between God and humanity.

What pleased God wasn't the physical act of sacrifice itself. Continuously in Scripture, God valued the heart behind the sacrifice. He desired repentance, obedience, and love from His people (1 Samuel 15:22). Through the prophets, God revealed His true longing: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). The sacrifices were not an end in themselves—they pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, brought complete and lasting atonement for our sins.

As lovers of Christ, we desire to do what pleases Him. What are those things? Jesus himself tells us in Matthew 22:37-39, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" In short, to sacrifice is to love God and your neighbor.

Today's verses remind us that the sacrifices that please God are no longer offerings of blood or burnt animals but expressions of love, gratitude, and generosity. Through Jesus, the ultimate atonement has already been made, freeing us to offer "sacrifices of praise" with joyful hearts and to serve others as a reflection of His love.

Just as we delight in doing things that bring joy to the people we love, our praise and service sacrifices are acts of love that delight God. When we profess His name openly and praise Him, we echo the heart behind the Old Testament sacrifices: a desire to draw near to God. And when we share generously and do good to others, we fulfill the second great commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, embodying a life that truly honors God.

Through this lens, Hebrews 13:15-16 invites us to reimagine sacrifice. Instead of rituals, we now offer our lives—our words, deeds, and even the smallest acts of kindness—as living, pleasing sacrifices. Every act of worship, no matter how small, reflects the same love and devotion God desired from the beginning.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Jesus's sacrifice, which restored our relationship with You. Help us to live lives that honor You through praise, love, and acts of kindness. Teach us to love You fully and to love our neighbors, reflecting Your grace in all we do. May the love we return be a pleasing sacrifice to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim