Paige Bier_06 Oct._Student Choice IV: Sacrifice

During class lecture on October 2nd, we discussed the bond between smoke and sacrifice. Reddick states, “Smoke often represents prayers going up so when sacrifice happens, you are burning your sacrifices for the smoke to send up to God”. Smoke is seen as purifying, in correlation to the sepapu that can transport you. We looked at different pictures of sepapus, a place to connect with your ancestors through the Kiva, to dwell, and find home. At the sepapu, there is often a fie-pit or fireplace where sacrifice occurs. While we were discussing the means of sacrifice and its correlation to smoke from fire, I was able to reflect upon John 15:1-7; “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6). God is cutting off the “branches” in my life that aren’t producing fruit; therefore, if I remain in the Lord, I can “bear much fruit”.  These branches reside as a sacrifice. God will help me get rid of the bad branches in order to make room to bear fruit; the Bible says “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). The smoke from these branches will send up to God and be seen as true sacrifice in order to flourish and maintain in a healthy relationship with Him.