88.1 Prepare The Coming Of The Lord

(Isaiah 40:1-11)

"Comfort my people, "says our God. "Comfort them! Encourage the people of Jerusalem. Tell them they have suffered long enough and their sins are now forgiven.  I have punished them in full for all their sins."

A voice cries out, "Prepare in the wilderness a road for the Lord! Clear the way in the desert for our God! Fill every valley; level every mountain. The hills will become a plain, and the rough country will be made smooth. Then the glory of Lord will be revealed, and all mankind will see it. The Lord himself. has promised this."

A voice cries out, "Proclaim a message!" "What message shall I proclaim?" I ask. "Proclaim that all mankind are like grass: they last no longer than wild flowers. Grass withers and flowers fade when the Lord sends the wind blowing over them. People are no more enduring than grass. Yes, grass withers and flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever."

Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Zion: announce the good news! Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming!

The Sovereign Lord is coming to rule with power, bringing with him the people he has rescued. He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

87.4 My Sacrifice Is A Contrite Spirit

(Psalm 51:16-19)

You do not want sacrifices, or I would offer them;
You are not pleased with burnt offerings.
My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;
you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

O God, be kind to Zion and help her;
rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices
and with our burnt offerings;
and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

87.3 I Come To Do Your Will

(Hebrews 10:1-10)

The Jewish Law is not a full and faithful model of the real things; it is only a faint outline of the good things to come. The same sacrifices are offered forever, year after year. How can the Law, then, by means of these sacrifices make perfect the people who come to God? If the people worshiping God had really been purified from their sins, they would not feel guilty of sin anymore, and all sacrifices would stop. As it is however, the sacrifices serve year after year to remind people of their sins. For the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins.

For this reason, when Christ was about to come into the world, he said to God: "You do not want sacrifices and offerings, but you have prepared a body for me. You are not pleased with animals burned whole on the altar or with sacrifices to take away sins. Then I said, 'Here I am, to do your will, O God, just as it is written of me in the book of the Law.'"

First he said, "You neither want nor are you pleased with sacrifices and offerings or with animals burned on the altar and the sacrifices who take away sins." He said this even though all these sacrifices are offered according to the Law. Then he said, "Here I am, O God, to do your will." So God does away with all the old sacrifices and puts the sacrifice of Christ in their place. Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that he made of his own body once and for all.  

87.2 I Want No Rams Nor Oil But Justice And Mercy

(Micah 6:6-8)

What shall I bring to the Lord, the God of heaven, when I come to worship him? Shall I bring the best calves to burn as offerings to him? Will the Lord be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive oil? Shall I offer him my first-born child to pay for my sins? No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is right, to love constantly, and to walk humbly with our God.

87.1 Do Not Offer Beasts But Do Well

(Isaiah 1:10-20)

Jerusalem, your rulers and your people are like those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen to what the Lord is saying to you. Pay attention to what our God is teaching you. He says, "Do you think I want all these sacrifices you keep offering to me? I have had more than enough of the sheep you burn as sacrifices and of the fat of your fine animals.  I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats. Who asked you to bring me all this when you come to worship me? Who asked you to do all this tramping around in my Temple? It's useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins. I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days, they are a burden that I am tired of bearing.

"When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil and learn to do right. See that justice is done- help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows."

The Lord says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces. But if you defy me, you are doomed to die. I, the Lord have spoken."