“…Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac…”

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Heb. 11:17-19

‘Altar’ means place of slaughter. When we are tried, and we pray, “Lord, I am on the altar,“ we are partaking of Abraham’s faith, and we are partaking of Abraham’s blessings.

The prayer, ‘Lord, I am on the altar,’ identifies us with Christ on the cross. In the New Testament, Christ Himself is on the altar, Heb. 13:10-12; He is the offering on the altar; and He is the priest who ministers. It is on the altar that the fire from the heaven – the Holy Spirit – falls, as it fell on the altar in the Tabernacle, Lev. 9:24, and on the altar in Solomon’s temple, 2 Chr. 7: 1. The Holy Spirit falls on us as we offer ourselves.

Jesus said that the altar sanctifies the offering, Matt. 23:19. When we offer ourselves upon Christ as our altar, we are sanctified, we are perfected, Heb. 10:10-14: “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all….For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

As Abraham was offering his son, he received the faith for resurrection, Heb. 11:18-19: “…Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” The faith that justifies us (Rom. 5:1) is made perfect by such offering, James 2:21-22.

  

In the time of testing, Lord, may I remember Abraham. He would rather have placed himself on the altar. He would rather have died himself. In the time of testing, O God, let me pray, ‘Lord, I am on the altar’: my will is on the altar, my desires are on the altar.

As Abraham was offering his son, he received faith for resurrection, Heb.11: 19. As I offer myself this morning, Lord, grant me faith for resurrection.  May I live as one raised from the dead, Rom.6: 13. Lord I bless you for this grace. Lord, I give you glory. Amen.

“…I will have mercy…”

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matt. 9:10-13

 

[“mercy” = God’s attitude to us when we are in distress; loving-kindness; covers our sins. “I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.” This is quoted from Hos. 6:6; same in Matt. 12:7. Jesus’ mercy led Him to befriend sinners.]

 

As we incline our hearts to show mercy, God’s mercy covers us in all our needs, Matt. 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Is there someone to whom I may show mercy today, Lord? Mercy enables us to forgive freely and fully; mercy enriches us to give freely and abundantly.

Mercy comes first, not sacrifice (sacrifice = conformity to the letter of the law). This is especially important for parents in their relationship with their children (Ps.103: 13). Jesus said in Matt. 12:7: “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.” This was in response to those who complained that His disciples broke the Sabbath when they picked the heads of grains and ate.

 

 

O Father of mercies (2 Cor. 1:3), help me see where I have failed to show mercy, so I may repent, show mercy, and receive mercy. Lord, I come to the Mercy Seat (Heb. 4:16).

May my heart be always inclined to mercy, Lord.  May I be occupied with deeds of mercy. Thankful that I have received mercy at the cross, Lord, let me not delay to show mercy. Amen.