In the first century, the temple mount and the Temple of Solomon was the center of Hebrew culture, worship and identity. It was also the focus of commerce. The streets were tightly packed with venders and traders of every type. Items for ritual sacrifice were bought and sold inside the porticos and even the temple courts. The closer to the center of worship or the closer to the sanctaury one was the more prime the realstate for the vendor and their wares, more specifically, when it came to the selling of "approved" sacrifices according to the law.

During the high holy feasts an untold number of animals were offered up and slain acording to the Law of Moses. One of the most ,mind-blowing sights for us today would have been the shear amount of blood from living animals  sacrificed during the Holy season of Passover. The Kidron Valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives literally flowed red because of it.

Living sacrifices given in the place of the people's transgressions. Doves, rams, lambs, bulls, the list went on and on. For the sinner it was a contribution; for the sacrifice, it was a total commitment. 

Forward to today. No blood sacrifices have been offered up at the Temple since it's destruction in around 70A.D.

But this is Lent, a time of sacrifice; prayer and fasting. Today, look inside and declair that now is the time that we look at what it means to present ourselves as a "living sacrifice" to God. Living in that no blood is shed, but rather, we choose to live a life different for the glory of God in Christ.

The passages in the scripture of Romans offers many ways we may express this. In doing this, what is new for you in this time of transformation and redirection. Is it helping you to experience true and authentic worship?

Pray today and ask God to continue to reveal His Will for you during this time of sacrifice, praise and worship. 

Read: Romans 12

Prayer of consecration

Lord,

I confess my sins and failures to you and I am very sorry for having sinned against You.  Give me the strength to seek and accept Your grace and forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you poured yourself out completely and died for me so that I would have eternal life. I claim that wonderful and indescribable gift of salvation.

Create a pure heart in me, refresh my spirit and renew my mind and body.

I consecrate myself to you Lord and ask that you use me according to your holy will.

I pray in Jesus name.

Amen