Ephesians 5:1-2 Sacrifice and Fragrant Aroma Pt 2

Last week we talked about Old Testament sacrifice. This week we will look at a New Testament perspective of sacrifice. 

Read Ephesians 5:1-2. Last week we talked about the two instructions in Ephesians 5:1-2: to be imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love as Jesus loved us and gave himself up as an offering and fragrant aroma. Remember we are trying to understand what the text means when it says that Jesus loved us and gave Himself up as an offering and fragrant aroma. We must understand Jesus' love to understand how we are called to love. Keep this at the front of your mind as we study this week. Ultimately our purpose is to take everything we learn back to Ephesians 5:1-2 and understand what it means and how that applies to our lives.

Read the following cross references and write down in your journal what you learn about sacrifice and how it relates to Ephesians 5:1-2:

• Hosea 6:6
• 1 Samuel 15:22
• Hebrews 9
• Hebrews 10
• Hebrews 11

Now, go back and read Ephesians 5:1-2. What does it mean that Jesus loved us to the degree that He gave Himself up as a sacrifice and a fragrant aroma? Really think about it. What then does that mean for what you believe or how you live? Write down your thoughts in your journal.