Drawing Near: The Transformative Power of Sacrifice

Devotional

Day 1: Drawing Near to God Through Costly Surrender

To draw near to God is to bring our whole selves, surrendering all that we are and have, just as the burnt offering was wholly given and transformed by fire into a pleasing aroma to the Lord. This act of surrender is not about perfection, but about offering ourselves—costly, wholehearted, and without reservation—trusting that God delights in our willingness to come close, even when it costs us something. In this surrender, we acknowledge our need for a representative, for atonement, and for the purging that brings us into true proximity with the source of life. [34:30]

Leviticus 1:3-9 (ESV)
“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces, and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. And Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have been holding back from God? What would it look like to surrender it fully to Him today, trusting that He delights in your costly offering?

Day 2: Living a Life of Thankfulness and Enduring Covenant

Gratitude is not just a feeling but an offering—a gift that acknowledges God’s enduring love and faithfulness, much like the grain offering and the covenant of salt, which remind us of God’s preserving grace and the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. Even in abundance or in the ordinary, we are invited to bring our “thank you” to God, recognizing that thankfulness keeps our hearts close to Him and our lives aligned with His enduring promises. [39:26]

Romans 1:21 (ESV)
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally paused to thank God for His faithfulness? What is one specific way you can express gratitude to God today, even for something ordinary?

Day 3: Celebrating Peace and Community in God’s Presence

God invites us to celebrate together, to feast in His presence, and to share our abundance with others—especially the vulnerable—through acts of hospitality and joyful community, as seen in the peace offering and the festivals. True peace is not just the absence of conflict but the harmony of relationships: with God, with family, and with community, marked by generosity, storytelling, and shared joy. [43:00]

Psalm 36:7-9 (ESV)
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”

Reflection: Who in your life could you invite to share a meal or a moment of celebration this week, especially someone who might feel left out or alone? How can you make space for community and joy in God’s presence?

Day 4: The Power of Confession, Cleansing, and Restitution

Confession and making things right are essential to repairing relationships—with God and with others. The purification and guilt offerings remind us that while Jesus has dealt with our sin, we are still called to address the effects of our actions, seek forgiveness, and make restitution where needed, so that we can live in restored proximity to God and one another. [46:31]

Leviticus 6:4-7 (ESV)
“If he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. And he shall bring to the priest as his compensation to the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord, and he shall be forgiven for any of the things that one may do and thereby become guilty.”

Reflection: Is there someone you need to apologize to or make things right with? What step can you take today to seek forgiveness or offer restitution, trusting God’s grace to restore what is broken?

Day 5: Embracing God’s Rhythm of Rest, Celebration, and Storytelling

God’s appointed festivals and holy days are invitations to disrupt our routines, to rest, to remember, and to celebrate His faithfulness together as a community. These rhythms shape our values and stories, reminding us that life with God is meant to be enjoyed, shared, and marked by both solemnity and festivity as we look back on His deliverance and forward to His promises. [01:02:44]

Leviticus 23:1-3 (ESV)
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.’”

Reflection: How does your calendar reflect what you value most? What is one way you can intentionally set apart time this week to rest, celebrate, or share your story of God’s faithfulness with others?

Sermon Summary

Today’s journey through Leviticus invited us to consider the deep meaning behind the ancient sacrifices and festivals, and how they shape our relationship with God and one another. At the heart of these rituals is the invitation to draw near to God, not with fear, but with reverence, gratitude, and honesty. The sacrificial system, with its intricate structure and symbolism, was not merely about ritual compliance, but about relationship—repairing what is broken, expressing gratitude, and celebrating the abundance and presence of God.

We began by reflecting on the “draw near thing”—the offering that allows us to approach God’s holiness. The burnt offering, or olah, was a costly act of total surrender, representing the offerer’s life ascending to God. This was not a mere transaction, but a transformation: the fire consumed the offering, turning it into a pleasing aroma, a symbol of our own need for purging and renewal in God’s presence.

The grain offering, or minah, was a gift of gratitude, a tangible way to say “thank you” for God’s provision. It introduced the covenant of salt, a reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness and the seriousness of our commitments. The peace offering was a communal celebration, a feast of harmony and hospitality, where abundance was shared with family, friends, and the vulnerable—an image of restored relationships and joyful fellowship in God’s presence.

The purification and guilt offerings addressed the reality of sin and its effects. While Christ has dealt with the ultimate problem of sin, we are still called to acknowledge the ways our actions harm others and to make restitution. These offerings remind us that atonement is about repairing relationships—with God and with each other—so that we can live in the fullness of life God intends.

Turning to the festivals, we saw how God structured Israel’s calendar with rhythms of work, rest, celebration, and remembrance. These appointed times—Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Booths—were not just holidays, but holy days, shaping the community’s identity and values. They were times to tell stories, to remember deliverance, to share abundance, and to rejoice together before God. Our own calendars, too, reveal what we value and the stories we live by.

Ultimately, these ancient practices call us to a life of gratitude, confession, celebration, and generosity. They invite us to draw near to God, to repair what is broken, to share what we have, and to remember that our lives are part of a greater story—a story of redemption, abundance, and hope.

Key Takeaways

1. Drawing Near Requires Costly Surrender Approaching God’s holiness is not a casual act; it demands a costly surrender of ourselves. The burnt offering, wholly consumed and ascending to God, reminds us that true worship involves giving our whole selves, not just what is convenient. This surrender is transformative, purging away what is unworthy and making space for new life in God’s presence. [34:30]
2. Gratitude and Covenant Go Hand in Hand The grain offering teaches that gratitude is not just a feeling but an action, a tangible gift that acknowledges God’s provision. The covenant of salt woven into this offering is a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is enduring, preserving, and serious—gratitude is both a celebration and a commitment to faithfulness. [39:26]
3. Peace with God Overflows into Community The peace offering was a feast, not just for the offerer but for family, friends, and the marginalized. True peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of harmony, hospitality, and shared abundance. Our worship should lead us to invite others in, to celebrate together, and to ensure no one is left out of God’s goodness. [41:23]
4. Atonement Repairs Relationships, Not Just Rules The purification and guilt offerings highlight that sin is not just a violation of rules but a rupture in relationships—with God and with others. Making things right involves honest confession, restitution, and a willingness to address the effects of our actions. Christ’s atonement frees us from sin’s power, but we are still called to repair what is broken in our daily lives. [45:07]
5. Our Calendars Reveal Our Values and Stories God’s appointed festivals were designed to disrupt routine, to call people into rhythms of rest, remembrance, and celebration. The way we structure our time—what we pause for, what we celebrate, whom we include—reveals the stories we live by and the values we hold. We are invited to let God’s story shape our calendars, making space for gratitude, generosity, and community.

** [58:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:42] - Drawing Near: The Invitation and Prayer
[31:25] - Structure of Leviticus and the Day of Atonement
[33:11] - The Burnt Offering: Costly Surrender
[34:30] - Representation and Atonement
[36:00] - The Ritual of Sacrifice and Transformation
[38:03] - Purging, Fire, and the Image of Jesus
[39:26] - The Grain Offering: Gratitude and Covenant of Salt
[41:23] - The Peace Offering: Celebration and Community
[43:00] - Psalm Reflections on Peace and Abundance
[43:51] - The Purification Offering: Dealing with Sin’s Effects
[45:07] - The Guilt Offering: Restitution and Repair
[46:31] - Summary of Sacrifices: Sorry and Thank You
[47:40] - Reflection: Confession, Gratitude, and Drawing Near
[48:39] - Festivals: Holy Days and Community Rhythms
[58:04] - The Significance of Seven and Ten
[60:11] - Sabbath, Passover, and the Rhythm of Rest
[62:44] - Questions for Reflection and Closing Prayer
[68:54] - Final Blessing and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Leviticus 1:1-9 (ESV) — The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock. If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Then he shall kill the bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces, and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. And Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”

2. Leviticus 23:1-3 (ESV)
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwelling places.”

3. Romans 1:21 (ESV)
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Observation Questions

What was unique about the burnt offering (olah) compared to the other offerings described in Leviticus? ([33:11])
According to Leviticus 23, what was the purpose of the festivals and holy convocations in Israel’s calendar? ([48:39])
In the sermon, what did the “covenant of salt” symbolize in the grain offering? ([39:26])
How did the peace offering differ in its purpose and practice from the burnt and grain offerings? ([41:23])

Interpretation Questions

The burnt offering required total surrender and was completely consumed by fire. What does this teach about the kind of relationship God desires with His people? ([34:30])
The festivals were described as “holy disruptions” in the calendar. Why might God want His people to regularly pause, remember, and celebrate together? ([48:39])
The purification and guilt offerings were about repairing relationships, not just following rules. How does this shape our understanding of sin and atonement? ([45:07])
The peace offering was a communal celebration that included the marginalized. What does this reveal about God’s vision for community and worship? ([41:23])

Application Questions

The burnt offering was costly and represented total surrender. Is there an area of your life where God is inviting you to surrender more fully, even if it’s costly or uncomfortable? What might that look like this week? ([34:30])
The grain offering was a tangible act of gratitude. What is one specific way you can express gratitude to God this week—not just in words, but in action? ([39:26])
The peace offering was about sharing abundance and celebrating with others, especially those who might be left out. Who in your life could you invite into a meal, celebration, or act of hospitality this month? ([41:23])
The purification and guilt offerings required honest confession and making things right. Is there a relationship in your life that needs repair or restitution? What step could you take toward healing that relationship? ([45:07])
The festivals shaped Israel’s calendar and identity. Looking at your own calendar, what does it reveal about your values and the story you’re living by? Is there a rhythm of rest, celebration, or remembrance you want to add or change? ([48:39])
The sermon mentioned that our worship should lead us to invite others in and ensure no one is left out of God’s goodness. How can you make your faith more welcoming and inclusive this season? ([41:23])
The festivals were times to tell stories of God’s deliverance and provision. What is one story of God’s faithfulness in your life that you could share with someone this week? ([48:39])

Sermon Clips

So far, I think that we've tried to explain, and hopefully you've learned, that the sacrifices or offerings or the draw near things prescribed were through the mercy and grace of God. So that we can draw near and live in close proximity to God. Our God is holy, but because we can draw near with a draw near thing, we don't need to be afraid. [00:30:58] (28 seconds) #DrawNearWithGrace

Economic circumstances the theorizing that goes up. sp?... . .were there for variety or for your situation so that if you could not afford, literally afford it, but the idea is when they were to bring it, to draw near, for acceptance on their behalf, it was meant to be costly. It was meant to cost them something. And this was something that involved the whole family or a collection of families, the wider family, okay? It was costly. And even if you were the poorest of the poor, you were still meant to bring something, even if it was just something from the grain. You always came with something. And it was like a total surrender. The whole offering burnt before God going up. [00:33:11] (56 seconds) #CostlySurrender

The death of the animal and its purging through fire are sending an image I need to undergo, purging that could take my life. But in taking my life, it transforms me to live in proximity to the source of real life. This offering takes me on a journey I need to undergo myself, which is a burning of way of that which I embrace what is true of life. [00:38:10] (34 seconds) #TransformativePurging

The covenant of salt, it's enduring, it's preserving, it adds taste, but it's also a warning. When people exchanged properties or houses or cattle or something, they made a covenant. And often some salt was thrown over their shoulder as a warning. If the land, if you go back on this, I will put salt on your land and it will die. Okay? Or the animal may die. You got that? So it had a warning aspect, but it had the other aspect as well. Salt in those days was extremely costly as well. So it was the salt of the covenant to remind us of the enduring love of God, the endurance of God's covenant, but also warnings that were there. [00:40:30] (50 seconds) #CovenantOfSalt

Peace is not just about not having conflict. It's about harmony of relationships. Me and my God. Me and my family. Me and the community. Let's have a feast together. It's about hospitality. It's about celebrating together and no hoarding. You got that one? [00:42:15] (20 seconds) #PeaceInCommunity

Enough to say that our sins endanger us and our proximity to God. To the God who is the source of our life. Atonement repairs relationships. Atonement is there so that I can stay with my friends in close proximity. You got that? [00:45:24] (27 seconds) #AtonementRestores

Because my sins affects others. And this one is severe. Because not only am I to pay back what I need, what I've violated or taken or stolen or abused or whatever. I have to add one -fifth to it. Remember Zacchaeus? Whatever I have stolen, I will give back and I will add. He was making restitution there. [00:46:06] (29 seconds) #RestitutionPlus

Holy convocations, God calls these ones. And holiday comes from the word holy day. Holiday. Call out to the public. An assembly. Not just any old public meeting, but a holy one. A set apart one. You got that? This is set apart. It's a sacred gathering because God himself is holy. Come apart. Come. [00:57:56] (23 seconds) #HolyConvocation

So a lot of these were meant to be joyous celebrations with singing and dance, with processions and music, and solemn, holy, quiet occasions. And it was to be celebrated before the Lord. I'm sad to say, most of us in the western hemisphere in Australia do not know how to celebrate before the Lord. Okay? Because for us, a lot of it is celebrating and getting drunk. That comes up in next week's sermon. [00:59:49] (29 seconds) #CelebrateBeforeGod

And this was not really a sacrifice. It was a festival. It was a coming again. But it was telling your story. It was meant to sit down and tell the Exodus story, a story of deliverance, a story of salvation. And so part of the story, part of the celebration is tell the stories. [01:01:04] (21 seconds) #ExodusStoryTold

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