Have you ever wondered just what it was you needed to do in order to please God? You know, things like keeping the commandments, doing work for God, going to church, stuff like that! The first few verses of Isaiah 66 mention several things along these lines, but interestingly, Isaiah lists these as things that don't work. Let's take a look:
"Whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig's blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol" (Isaiah 66:3).
Now wait a minute! Wasn't this written before Jesus died? Weren't these things still important in Isaiah's day? Hadn't God specifically commanded that the sacrifices be offered, grain offerings be given, and incense be burned? Then why does God say, through the prophet Isaiah, that those who do what God has specifically commanded are like "one who kills a man . . . who breaks a dog's neck . . . who presents pig's blood . . . who worships an idol"?
The key, my
friends, lies in Isaiah 66:2:
How many Christians have you met who are trying to "work" their way to heaven? Jesus met a few. The rich young ruler was one. Let's take a look at the story. The ruler comes riding up to Jesus and says: "'Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother."' 'Teacher,' he declared, 'all these I have kept since I was a boy.' (Mark 10:17-20) Here is a perfect example of someone trying to "earn" Salvation. He was doing exactly what the Scriptures say that God requires us to do. But there was still something missing! "'One thing you lack,' [Jesus] said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Mark 10:21) The young ruler lacked humility and contriteness of spirit! He valued his Earthly possessions more than his Heavenly ones!
We have to
get it all into prospective, don't we? Not into prospective by our
standards, but by God's! "This is what the LORD says:
'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the
house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has
not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?' declares
the LORD." (Isa 66:1) Of what importance are sacrifices,
works, commandments, wealth, etc. when God made all of these things?
How can the creation become more important than the Creator?!
Lyn Chaffart
Director of Mini-Sermons, Answers2Prayer Ministries www.Answers2Prayer.org Lyn@Answers2Prayer.org