Firstborn

 "Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine,
Numbers 3:12 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/num.3.12.ESV

There was an ancient tradition in Israel that the firstborn should serve the Lord. God provided the Levite tribe to stand as substitutes instead. Just like Levites stood in the place of the firstborn, Jesus stands in our place.

God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all. The Lion of the tribe of Judah didn't have a Levite to stand in for Him. He is the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world.

Because Jesus gave Himself for us, we are now His. Just as the Levites were the Lord's, so are all who trust in Jesus. Just as the Levites served the Lord, so are we.

We don't have to serve God by sacrificing animals any more. Instead we are firstly to pray to God for people. Secondly, we are to represent God to people.

'Dear God our Lord, thank You for giving Your Son for us. May we give ourselves to You, in His name we pray, amen'

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