March 23, 2025 – An Acceptable Sacrifice-Week 3 - Pastor Kate Murphy

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-16 (NIV)

Dear Church,

We are spending the 40 days of Lent seeking scripture for wisdom about sacrifice. What kinds of sacrifices are pleasing to the Lord?

So far, we've mostly focused on what not to do. You know, don't kill your brother because your sacrifice is not acceptable. Don't kill your daughter as a sacrifice. There is absolutely a pattern here--don't kill people. Period.

So if murder is an unacceptable sacrifice (even dressed up in holy language), then what kinds of sacrifices do please God?

The good news/bad news is--it's actually quite clear. The preacher in Hebrews lays it out plainly: Love one another, show hospitality to strangers, honor your spouse, don't use other people's bodies for your sexual gratification, care for prisoners and those who are being mistreated in practical & costly ways, liberate yourself from the love of money, practice radical contentment, imitate the faith and life of Jesus.

The trouble isn't that we don't understand--it's that the ordinary costly sacrifices God calls us to are not acceptable in our eyes. They are not elite spiritual challenges that only a few can master. They are not 'one and done.' The sacrifices God deems acceptable do not titillate or entertain us. They will not give us elevated spiritual status, they will sink us deeper into solidarity with the least, last and lost.

And so we are susceptible to being led astray by 'all kinds of strange teachings.'

I hope you will join me as we hear once again our daily call to 'do good' and 'share with others.' Acceptable sacrifices are as simple, possible and beautiful as that.

Peace,
Pastor Kate

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