Is Sacrifice Enough?

Following Jesus wholeheartedly requires sacrifice: of time, energy, reputation, and money.  And for much of my walk with God, I’ve evaluated myself and others by this metric.  Am I willing to give p everything to do what’s right?  It’s an easy way to find the idols that creep into my heart.

But is it truly what God looks for?  When I look at the words of Jesus, he looks beyond the sacrifice and into the heart behind it.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. Matt 23: 18

What is my motivation for sacrifice?  If I’m honest with myself, it’s pride.  I desire to do what’s right, because that’s the sort of person I want to be- a ‘good’ person, a ‘righteous’ person.  There’s nothing of God- and no love of God- coming out of such pride. 

Fortunately, Jesus gives advice even when he rebukes:

Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Matt 23:26

Clean the inside of the cup first.  Jesus is reminding the Pharisees that motives are paramount.  He reminds them- and us- that we need to examine and clean our own hearts first. 

Dealing with motives is far more challenging than simply sacrifice.  It scares me because my façade of goodness won’t last long.  It scares me because it will compel me to be vulnerable with some hurts that I dismiss as trivial.  It scares me because I put some much of my value in what I’ve done…what am I worth then if I’m doing less?

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

Jesus tells us again and again, that God desires mercy, not sacrifice, echoing the words God gave to Hosea.  What would happen if I truly repented- and did everything out of a heart that acknowledges God and shows mercy?  I think I’d be following Jesus in a way that I never have before.

• Why do you make sacrifices for God?
• What scares you about examining your motivations?
• What would change in your life if you made every decision out of your overflow of gratitude for Jesus?