Sacrifice
A true sacrifice involves giving up something that is cherished. The Israelites showed their obedience to God, worshiped God and received the promise of forgiveness through the giving of animal and grain sacrifices. Moses gave the people detailed instructions for the numerous types of sacrifices that they were to bring. Abraham (see Abraham) showed that he loved God more than he loved his cherished son, Isaac (see Isaac), by his willingness to sacrifice Isaac as God commanded.

Passover (see Passover) was the most important sacrifice in the Old Testament. Of all the sacrifices, Passover paints the most vivid picture of the greatest sacrifice ever made: the one made by Jesus Christ. He sacrificed his place in heaven to become human, he then sacrificed his life by dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Giving our total lives as a living sacrifice to him is our natural and appropriate response of worship.

Abraham is willing to sacrifice Isaac, but God provides a ram instead. This act symbolizes the sacrifice God made for us when he sent his Son, Jesus, to die in our place.
Genesis 22:1-19
God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb for Passover. Jesus is the Lamb of God, slain as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Exodus 12
Moses gives detailed instruction for each sacrifice.
Leviticus 7.9,14-17,19,22-23
Deuteronomy 16
God doesn't delight in sacrifice for it's own sake. The Lord desires and delights in mercy, love, obedience, justice and acts of kindness.
1 Samuel 15:22
Psalm 40:6; 51:16
Hosea 6:6
Matthew 9:13; 12:7,33
Hebrews 10:5
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. We are to offer our lives as sacrifices.
Psalm 51:17
Romans 12:1
Sacrifice is a form of love for God and others. It is sound wisdom to sacrifice (let go) of that which does not last so that we can gain that which does not perish.
Matthew 8:18-22
Luke 18:29-34
John 12:20-26
We are made holy through Christ's atoning sacrifice.
Romans 3:25
Hebrews 9:26; 10:10,14
1 John 2:2; 4:10
No further sacrifice is necessary for sins. Christ died once for all.
Hebrews 7:27; 9:28; 10:12,26