Sacrifice - A happy thing.

New Testament scribes and Pharisees sit in Jesus’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. These are “false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. OK, pretty heavy start, I guess. But, it applies. In light of the intro, what is the first image or feeling that pops into your head when you read the following word: SACRIFICE Write it down if your memory is as bad as mine, and we’ll get back to it shortly. I have come to realize that among the faithful (Christ followers) it is not always that we don’t only not understand Greek or Hebrew, it is that we often don’t understand English. That is, English as it was intended. Now back to the word sacrifice. Be honest. Were your thoughts “happy”, “joyful”, or “gay”? (Another misuse of English) Did the word conjure up images of feasting, and song? No? Why not? If you thought of “doing without”, “depriving” yourself of something for a good cause, or any of the other “Religious” connotations that have attached themselves to this word, you can blame the “false teachers among you”. Sacrifice meant none of those things. Think about it. There are connections in God’s word that would never make sense if sacrifice had those meanings. How about, "the sacrifice of praise”. Now I suppose you could point to Paul’s “Philippian Jail” experience, but I am doubtful that was an altogether somber experience. How silly to think of two guys in chains, singing a Psalm or Hymn, as if it were a dirge – all glum, with mouth turned down, as if they a kid being forced to say, “I’m sorry.” Consider the Old Testament sacrifice? There, the Jews were to “sacrifice” and “rejoice” before the Lord, in the place where He has chosen to put His name. Oh yeah: They were to “eat it there” before the Lord. Same picture –Down-in-the-mouth, making an effort to appear happy. Once you understand the English, as it was written, you get a clear picture of what is meant to happen, and what a wonderful experience you can have when you sacrifice. When the bible was translated, the word used for sacrifice was taken from the Latin. Two roots, "sacre"; meaning sacred or holy and "facere"; to do or to make, literally combine to mean, Make Holy or Do Holy. Now it makes wonderful sense to say, “make a sacrifice of praise”, or “Make Holy praise”. And too, “make holy” rejoicing before the Lord, eating the offering, with your family. These are a far cry from the notion that has been perpetuated for a very long time. It is a notion, by which some teachers may justify themselves, “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders”. And, they rob widows houses, convincing all that it is the nature of true sacrifice. Yes, you can choose to forego a few goodies, or even many. But, do it in knowledge. Oh, to make sacred your life. Remember, “, , , ,they will make merchandise of you”. P. McDermott 01/28/2013