Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Hebrews 10:1-18

Hebrews 10:1-18
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

The sacrifices were a constant reminder of the sins of the people.  The sacrifices did not take away the sins of the people.
 
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you were not pleased.
Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
    I have come to do your will, my God.’”
First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Jesus came to do the will of the Father.  He became the sacrifice for us.  I died once and it was for everyone.

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

The Earthly priest in the Jewish temple performed his duty over and over.  Jesus, our heavenly priest, died once...and he SAT DOWN.  Not only did he obey God in becoming the sacrifice for our sin, he now waits for God to deliver his enemies to him.

A little personal application here.  If Jesus waits for his father to act, and has been for over 2000 years, why do I think I deserve immediate resolution to my issues?

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
    after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
    and I will write them on their minds.”
17 Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
    I will remember no more.”
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Because of Jesus sacrifice, God will not hold our sins against us.  When God forgives we don't need to "do" anything to earn our way back into his grace.  In fact we can't earn it and that is the point.

Also Christ's sacrifice was once.  It never has to be done again.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

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