ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Pulelulu Sanuali 25, 2023

The Axis of Heaven and Earth

Ko e Fetaulaki’anga ‘o Langi mo Mamani

GENESIS 8:20

THEN NOAH BUILT AN ALTAR TO THE LORD AND TOOK SOME OF EVERY CLEAN ANIMAL AND SOME OF EVERY CLEAN BIRD AND OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS ON THE ALTAR.

SENESI 8:20

Pea na‘e fokotu‘u ‘e Noa ha ‘ōlita kia Sihova, pea ne to‘o ha ni‘ihi ‘o e fa‘ahinga manu kehekehe na‘e ngofua, mo e ni‘ihi mei he fa‘ahinga manupuna kehekehe na‘e ngofua, ‘o ne fai‘aki ha ngaahi feilaulau ‘i he ‘ōlita.

Mizbeach is a noun formed from the verb zavach, to sacrifice. So a mizbeach ("altar") is simply "the place for sacrificing." Its simple meaning, however, hides a profound importance. The altar is where God and humanity clasp hands. It is the axis of heaven and earth. Every altar is a mini mountain where sinners climb up, the Lord steps down, and there is a rendezvous of mercy. In the aftermath of the flood, Noah built this altar in a purged world, eager for a fresh start.

 But more was needed than this fresh start. Noah built his altar, as would Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and many others. Each altar provided temporary relief, not lasting atonement. God and humanity would clasp hands, but they needed a permanent embrace. The lasting embrace finally happened on a very different kind of altar, built not by Jews but Romans, erected outside the temple, at the place of the skull. Here, he who was both God and man stepped up to be the sacrifice, to swallow the flood, to become the sweet-smelling aroma that wafted to heaven. The mizbeach of the cross of Jesus became the everlasting rendezvous of mercy.

 Heavenly Father, meet us in mercy at the altar of your Son.