Sharing Scripture — May 10, 2025

Texts: Isaiah 1:2-15; 6:1-5; Hebrews 10:3-10; Exodus 12:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Haggai 2:7-9; Revelation 4:7-11

The ritual of animal sacrifice has all but disappeared among biblical communities. One holdout, however, is the small group of Samaritans still living in Palestine.

Every year, the entire population of around 800 Samaritans gathers at Mount Gerizim, near the West Bank city of Nablus, for their Passover celebration. While most modern Jews commemorate Passover with a Seder meal that symbolizes various aspects of their deliverance from Egypt, Samaritans still slaughter sacrificial lambs and roast them according to Moses’ instructions.

The Samaritan community recently sacrificed 60 lambs (each family offers their own lamb). This marks not only an increase in the number of lambs sacrificed, but it also indicates that the Samaritan population is growing. Samaritan scholar Benyamim Tsedaka says that this increasing number of sheep sacrificed gives him hope for the future. “I remember the community offering only seven,” he recalls. “Our lowest (population) number was in March 1919, when there were left in the world only 141 (Samaritans).”

While tourists watched the proceedings, believers robed in white ceremonial dress and red fez hats began the sacrificial service. Then they smeared streaks of blood on the foreheads of the worshippers.

This sacrificial tradition is about retaining their sense of identity and community, as much as anything. Though they live among Jews and Palestinians, they are part of neither group. “There is a real danger” that the Samaritans will lose their identity if they become absorbed into the dominant cultures in Israel, reports Shuki Friedman of the Israel Democracy Institute. It’s “really remarkable,” he says, that they have observed their traditions for 2,500 years.

Whether “you’re one-year-old (or) 100 you must come here,” says Yiftah Tsedaka. Itzik Tsedaka concurs: “You can’t be a Samaritan and skip this ceremony.”

Some type of sacrifice is found at the heart of most religious groups, and the community’s identity is often wrapped in the type and manner of the sacrifice.

Ancient Israel’s identity was rooted in the sacrificial system performed in the wilderness sanctuary and the temple in Jerusalem. And yes, the Samaritans of Jesus’ day performed their sacrifices on Mount Gerizim (see John 4:19-24).

Some pagan religions express their identity by offering food and drink sacrifices to their various gods or ancestors.

Christians place their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, as demonstrated by the baptism and communion services.

Beyond the matter of identity, however, is the question: “Which of these sacrifices does God accept as being effectual for our salvation?” On the one hand, God instructed the Israelites to perform Passover sacrifices in Exodus 12:1-11, but later tells them “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! I cannot bear your worthless assemblies” (Isaiah 2:13).

God prefers obedience over sacrifice. And though good deeds are important (James 2:14-17), they alone are not good enough to provide for our salvation (Isaiah 64:6).

The question we must continually ask ourselves is: Where do I place my faith? On what sacrifice is my salvation based?

 

For Reflection

Sharing: Is there any salvific value in the Samaritans’ animal sacrifices?

1. No—all animal sacrifices lost their effectual meaning when the veil between the holy and most holy places tore at the death of Jesus (Mark 15:38)
2. There could be, if that’s all they know about the plan of salvation; they’re living up to the light that they have
3. As long as they keep up this tradition, there is hope that one day they will recognize that these sacrificial lambs represent the true Lamb of God
4. Rather than provide any basis for salvation, these sacrifices are an offense to God, as they demonstrate a complete rejection of Jesus as our Savior
5. They don’t offer the sacrifices to be saved—they are only keeping a community tradition alive
6. Other:

Applying: Have you ever participated in a Passover Seder meal? Read Unpacked’s article “How To Celebrate Passover” and discuss what you can learn from the various symbols involved. Possibly plan as a group to organize a Seder celebration—it can be especially meaningful if you invite a Jewish friend or Rabbi to explain the ceremony.

~ Chuck Burkeen

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