dead vs living sacrifices

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Indeed, according to the Law ... sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out. ... Christ also was offered in sacrifice once to take away the sins of many. [Hebrews 9:22,28 GNT]

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In a spiritual sense, I find these to be odd verses. They surface a few questions:

• Were the death of sacrificed animals required for God to forgive sin?
• Was it necessary for Jesus to die in order for God to forgive?
• Did Jesus die because of our sinful actions or to forgive those same sins?

When the writer of Hebrews compares Jesus death to that of sacrificial animals he does with a certain paradigm in mind. To the Jews God had to be appeased before he could forgive sins. The temple system embraced such sacrifices. Yet is that a really valid concept and image of God?

I suggest that the sacrifices that God requires are living ones. Paul says as much in his letter to the Romans. In a very real sense Jesus birth and ministry were such a sacrifices. His death on the cross was a living sacrifice. Dead sacrifices cost us very little while living ones cost us much.

Afresh dear Lord, I offer myself to your service.

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... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Hebrews.