Sacrifice and Service

Today I read Leviticus 4:10-6:6 and Mark 14:1-27. My favorite verses are:

Leviticus 4:17 And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the veil.

Mark 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

When the ancient Jews sinned against God, they “bought” forgiveness by sacrificing an animal and having its blood sprinkled before the Lord. The animal paid the price for one man’s sin with its life and was, of course, a type of our Lord Jesus paying the price for the sin of all mankind with His life. Before Jesus gave His life for our sin, He lived His life as a man so that He could understand what it is like for us to be tempted by sin. He met sinful people with forgiveness and love. Those who loved Him in return wanted to serve Him in whatever ways they could. The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume was criticized for being wasteful. Jesus defended her right to give Him her best. We, too, should give Jesus the best that we have and know that He is pleased when we do.