#1549. MAKE AN ALTAR OF SACRIFICE (20/7/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Jul 20
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our series: I Will Dwell Among Them.
Today, we reflect on the truth:
Jesus' atoning sacrifice for sin is to be at the heart of our faith and our worship
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘“Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze. The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried. Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.”’ (Exodus 27:1-8)
Perhaps you've watched programmes like Grand Designs, where people transform an old barn, factory, or even a nuclear bunker into their dream home. Every design choice is intended to make a statement and reflect the owner's priorities and personality.
If you were designing your own home, what first impression would you want visitors to have? A grand staircase? A beautiful entrance hall? A striking piece of artwork?
When God designed the Tabernacle, the very first thing a worshipper encountered after entering the courtyard was the bronze altar of sacrifice. Before the Holy Place, before the lampstand, before the table of bread, there stood the altar. God was making a profound statement: the way into His presence begins with atonement.
God wanted His people to understand two foundational truths: He is holy, and we are sinners. Before they could enjoy fellowship with Him, there had to be a sacrifice for sin.
The writer of Hebrews explains how these sacrifices pointed forward to Christ:
‘For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.’ (Hebrews 10:14)
At the very heart of Christianity stands the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His death we are justified, forgiven, and brought into a right relationship with God.
Whenever someone truly encounters God—whether in a church gathering, alone in prayer, or while walking in creation—that encounter will ultimately bring them face to face with both God's holiness and His grace. If there is no awareness of our need for forgiveness and no appreciation of Christ's saving work, we should carefully question whether we have truly grasped the God revealed in Scripture.
Many people struggle to believe that God really loves them. They wonder whether they are good enough for Him. In an effort to comfort them, some avoid speaking about sin and sacrifice altogether. Yet this is not God's way. He placed the altar at the entrance to the Tabernacle, and we should place the cross of Christ at the entrance to our lives and our message.
Real peace is never found by ignoring our sin. It is found by confessing our spiritual bankruptcy and trusting God's gracious provision through Jesus Christ, whose death cleanses us from every sin.
As Paul writes:
‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.’ (Romans 3:23–25)
Response
Jesus' atoning sacrifice for sin is to be at the heart of our faith and our worship.
Hebrews reminds us:
‘Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…’ (Hebrews 10:19)
Our confidence to enter God's presence rests entirely on the finished work of Christ.
Jesus' sacrifice is not simply how we become Christians; it remains the foundation of our entire relationship with God. Every prayer, every act of worship, every gathering of the church begins with the cross. We never move beyond it—we continually return to it with gratitude and faith.
As Jesus Himself said, He is "the door" (John 10:9). Through Him alone we enter into the presence of the Father. May we never lose our wonder that, because of His sacrifice, we are welcomed into God's presence with confidence, joy, and peace.
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our I WILL DWELL AMONG YOU series, reflecting on God’s design for the Tabernacle and how this speaks to us of how we are to seek to build the church.
Please read Exodus 27:1–8; 30:1–10; 30:34–38 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – What particularly encouraged or challenged you from Sunday's message? How did God speak to you through it?
How do the altar of sacrifice, the bronze basin, and the altar of incense each point us to Jesus and His ministry on our behalf? (See Hebrews 9:11-14)
There is a deliberate order to these elements: first the altar of sacrifice, then the basin for washing, and finally the altar of incense. What does this sequence teach us about:
The way of salvation? (See Hebrews 10:19)
The pattern of our worship and prayer? (See Hebrews 13:15)
The altar of incense symbolises our continual worship and prayer before God. What does this teach us about cultivating a life of prayer and wholehearted worship personally and together? (See, again Hebrew 13:15)
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Bringing people to the altar: Picture the journey of a worshipper entering the Tabernacle. Passing through the entrance (Christ), they first came to the altar of sacrifice (Christ's atoning death), then the bronze basin (our cleansing in Christ), before entering the Holy Place where the altar of incense represented continual worship and prayer. In many ways, this is the journey of bringing people to Jesus. How are we helping others take these steps? Where are we doing well, and where could we grow?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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