Sacrifice Without The Temple
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NASB
Good Works – It seems reasonable to suggest that Yeshua anticipated the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. It’s hard to read His teaching in Matthew 24 and not conclude that He saw a time when the Temple would no longer be the center of the sacrificial system. When the Temple fell, Judaism had to rethink one of its fundamental elements – Temple sacrifice. Neusner comments, “When the Temple of Jerusalem stood, sacrifice served as the medium of atonement for sin, just as Scripture insists, and, when the Temple was destroyed, deeds of loving kindness took the place of sacrifice.”[1] This comment and the statement of Yeshua in Matthew 5 help us solve a riddle about practicing faithfulness today. Today there is no Temple. Today we must express our worship of God without the daily sacrifices. Yes, I know that Paul points toward the temple within, but we must still deal with the external obligation. Yeshua not only anticipates a time when there is no Temple, He also sees that there is an appropriate substitute for Temple worship in the absence of the holy place. Yeshua calls this substitute “good works.” Neusner clarifies the idiom by using the English expression “loving kindness.” Both of these English expressions point us toward the same Hebrew word, hesed.
Oh, I forgot. You thought that “good works” meant acting with benevolence toward someone else, or picking up litter on the street, or putting extra into the offering, or giving someone a comforting hug. You thought that “good works” were words that describe your cultural understanding of the terms. You forgot that Yeshua spoke Hebrew in the first century. That’s where Neusner helps. He uses the English “loving kindness.” That takes us right to the English translation of hesed. Hesed is the substitute for Temple sacrifice. But then hesed has always been the alternative to Temple worship. In fact, before there ever was a Temple, hesed was exactly the way the world recognized those who belonged to God.
The Greek text reads kalos ergon (beautiful-good works). This translates the words but not the idiom. The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels uses the Hebrew expression ma’asekem hatovim (the good works). But I believe that Neusner’s expression, loving kindness, is better since it covers more than charity. Fulfilling the obligations of hesed is the essence of worship. It was the essence of worship for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was the essence of worship for David. And in the absence of the Temple, it is the same for us. Certainly Paul would say so. Obedience is at the heart of worship.
So write that check to charity. It’s a good thing. But don’t think that charity is the end of the story. Obedience has always been better than sacrifice and without the Temple, it is the way men know who belongs. Do hesed and you will worship at the Temple.
Topical Index: good works, kalos ergon, ma’asekem hatovim, hesed, Matthew 5:16
I would love to see this idea developed further.
We are currently living in an era without a temple, however, this is not unique in history — I’ve always wondered how Israel followed Torah when they went into captivity. They were no longer in a theocracy and without a temple. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, our family history (even if a grafted history), should offer some insight into this.
Thank you Skip,
You are such a profoundly gifted teacher of the Word!!
It would be interesting to know just how many lives have been impacted through your writing and teaching for HIM…I know I’m one of them. Perhaps G-d will reveal that information to us at some point in time. I hope so! It would be cause for much rejoicing!!
The decided difference between the O.T. and the New(er) is this: ~ And, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks were split ~ (Matthew 27.51)
In the words of the scriptures.. ~ and all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ~ (Acts 2.12)
What, my friends, was the purpose of this veil? – and furthermore – “Who” tore this veil from top to the bottom? Not from bottom to top (as if this were possible), but from top to bottom- this veil was, -not a doubt, – torn by God Himself. Why? – Why, my friends, did God do this? What about the torn veil? Yes. What does this mean?
The temple, at one time was a very restricted place. Only a select few would be allowed to enter and by the third “inner chamber” only one, the high priest, was allowed access and that once per year on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippor. There, inside the holy of holies, the priest went about his duties, no doubt fearful of his life, and remembering with a great life or death fear of YHWH, – all that he had been instructed to do.
This high priest brought with him, on Yom Kippor, the Day of Atonement, an offering. It was the offering of blood. And what did he do with this blood? He sprinkled it upon the Mercy Seat- located upon the Ark of the Covenant, located within the holy of holies. Yes, -“Location, location- location!”
God Himself has given the instruction: “without the shedding of blood is no atonement for sins.” ~In fact, the Law (interested in living according to Torah?) requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9.22)
Is it now time for some good news? Blood has been shed. Perfect, sinless Lamb’s blood. Abraham, God did provide Himself the Lamb and He, the Logos incarnated into flesh is the propitiating Sacrifice for sins. “Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world” is forever the master theme of of the Book God wrote.
And when, my friends, was our Messiah and the Christ crucified? On the very Day of Atonement! Coincidence or Providence?
And now that the veil has been torn, (the veil of His flesh) who has access to the Father? – Not one man, on one day in one place, but (it is amazing!)- we all do. Anyone, anytime, anywhere- 24/7 access to the very God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Yes, -“whosoever will” may come!
Carl, I know that you know that our Messiah was crucified on Passover, not on the the Day of Atonement. Frankly I never understood why not on Yom Kippour. Maybe Skip or someone can address this.
Funny how I’ve studied both here and there, but I never thought of that question.
A further revelation concerning the O.T. and the New(er) is this: In the Old(er) Covenant, God has a temple for His people and in the New(er) He has a people for His temple!
There is nothing at all “wrong” with the first covenant, the problem was and is- none of us could “measure up”- the standard was (and remains!) holiness and perfection. “Be ye holy” still remains today, the heart’s desire of our Father for His children. But “how” is this holiness accomplished? -and Who has accomplished holiness for us?
Where is the “on ramp” for the Highway of Holiness God speaks of in His Book of Instructions, our User’s Manual? Without a stutter or a stammer, -it is the tslav, the execution stake of the Messiah.
Yes, what Has Happened to the Highway of Holiness??- (Are We There Yet?)
And the child shall be called … “Pele-yoez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom”
“Every Christian is meant to be a living temple of God, expressing in a unique way the life and love of the indwelling Christ”.
~The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God ~ (Isaiah 40:3)
~And an Highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein ~ (Isaiah 35:8)
“Holiness is not the way to Christ.. Christ is the way to holiness”. (Adrian Rogers)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way.. (John 14:6)
Have we seen, perceived and clearly understood?- In this life, our pilgrimage to another Place:
• God’s revelation is progressive
• God’s education is progressive
• God’s sanctification is progressive
and
• the will of God is progressive
• the Word of God is progressive
• the wisdom of God is progressive
• the work of God is progressive
~ “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory- both now – and for ever. Amen ~ (2 Peter 3:18)
“Give God a holy church and who shall set a bound to the possibilities??
Why holiness??
• Holiness the revealed and rewarding Word of God-
~ “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” ~ (1 Peter 1:16)
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
• Holiness is the renewing and refreshing will of God-
~…”that we should be holy and without blame before him in love~ (Ephesians 1.4)
• Holiness is necessary for the rewarding and rich worship of God-
~ “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His Name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” ~ (1 Chronicles 16:29)
~ “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ~ (James 4:8) Singularly focused on Him!
~ ” ..and you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” ~ (Exodus 19:6)
• Holiness, because of our regard and respect to the ways of God-
“I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways”. (Psalm 119:15)
• because it is our rich and reliable witness from God-
~ “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth ~ (Deuteronomy 14:2)
“transfiguring holiness is the greatest and loveliest of all the miracles which the Holy Spirit ever effects in human lives”. (JSB)
“the only social salvation is the salvation of the individual multiplied”. “The state (of church,or nation) is but the individual writ large”.
• Holiness is the realization and ratification of the work of God
~ “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh”. ~ (Ezekiel 36:26)
• Holiness is our return to and remembrance of the wonder of God
~ “one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory” ~ (Isaiah 6:3)
~ “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” ~ (Obadiah 1:17)
• “Holiness is within our reach and is our resource for the warfare for God”
~ “But I have said unto you, You shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I AM the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people”. ~ (Leviticus 20:24)
~ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ~ ( II Corinthians 10:4,5)
• Holiness is required and requisite for our walk with God
~ “I Am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect”. (Genesis 17:1)
~ “You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess ~
(Deuteronomy 5:33)
Recommended reading:
His Deeper Work in Us J. Sidlow Baxter
The Calvary Road Roy Hession
amen
Good reading here :
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0095.htm
I think we don’t understand the reason for the sacrafices. As best as I can figure they were a means by which we could drawn near to YHVH safely. It’s so hard for us to keep the pagan idea of appeasement out of our heads. There is no sacrafice for intentional sin. Yeshus’s sacrafice covers unintentional sin so that we can come boldly to the throne without fear. The temple sacrafice served the same purpose.
There wasn’t a 100 mile long line of people waiting to bring a sacrafice to the temple for every intentional sin they commited. The sin sacrafies were offered with a good conscience, by faith, for any sin commited unintentionally, so that the worshipper had a covering for that one event when he/she came to draw near to YHVH at the temple and not become toast like Aarons sons.
If you aren’t pursuing obedience from the heart (mind) to torah (to the best of our understanding) you’re are likely on the wide path that leads to distruction especially if you try to enter into the temple. You can’t climb over the wall you know?!
True repentance is the only way back to the road that leads to the gate of the temple but you still need that covering when you get there. Praise YHVH for sending His Son to be the perfect propitiation for our unintentional sins so that we may draw near with full confidence that we are excepted, welcomed, and heard and the Judge of the universe is for us and against our enemies.