via TJC
“...he must bring [the animal] without defect…” x16
—Leviticus 1:3, 10; 3:1, 6; 4:3, 23, 28, 32; 5:15, 18; 6:6; 9:2, 3; 14:10; 22:19, 21; 23:12, 18
I was nine-years-old when I began my second season of tackle football. It didn’t take long for me to immediately fall in love with the sport. I especially loved playing Running Back. It was another dimension of time & space… My only objective was running through guys to get to the endzone. No need to apologize to anyone on the way there…
One practice, Coach pulled me aside. “I know you love running the ball, but we really need you at Guard.”
“Guard!?” I hated blocking! No way I’m playing Guard! “But I want to run the ball, Coach!”
The drive home from practice was an intense argument with my Dad, as he pleaded with me to obey Coach’s decision. I went to bed in tears, unrelenting.
The next morning, I felt the weight of Dad’s and Coach’s pleas. “OK,” I acquiesced. “But don’t expect me to enjoy this.”
The first game, I played Guard and suffered through it. The next game, I played Guard and blocked well. The next game, I played Guard, and I had fun discovering what it meant to serve pancakes.
At first glance, the Book of Leviticus is a giant list of laws. I imagine the Israelites listening to Moses rattle them off thinking, “Another lamb without defect!?” Underneath these words God spoke, however, is a plea from Jesus to obey Him out of pure love. No, not every sacrifice made on the battlefield will be instantly gratifying, but that isn’t the point.
Jesus sacrificed his life on the battlefield. Why? To show us how much his Father truly loves us. Now, we as warriors have the pleasure today of showing how much we love Him.
Daily Battle Order:
Where in your life is the Lord calling you to play Guard instead of Running Back?
What is the “lamb without defect” He is asking you to offer up today?
What is preventing you, Man of God, from being obedient today?
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