Scripture to Read: Hebrews 10:1-4
God continues to clarify for us and the
Jewish Christians who Hebrews was originally written
to, that the Law of the Old Testament gives a weak representation
of the good things to come through Christ.
The reason the Law is an inadequate representation is
that the Law can NEVER, through “offering the same
sacrifices continually year after year, make perfect
those who approach the altars.” (Amplified Version) God
even says in Hebrews 10:2, that if the Old Testament
sacrifices could cleanse sin for all time then the sacrifices
would have stopped because those who worship
God would have been cleansed from ALL their sin forever.
But the problem was that every sacrifice that was
brought to the Levitical priests only reminded the people
that they were sinners in need of a Savior. Finally, to
make sure we know why Christ had to die for all sin, for
all time, God says in Hebrews 10:4 that it is “IMPOSSIBLE
for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
So, why did they continually sacrifice bulls and goats?
Because sin ALWAYS brings the outcome of death.
There has to be a payment for sin. God received the
animal sacrifices as a temporary payment of sin, and
therefore God covered the sins of the people. Covering
the sins of the people was NEVER good enough. Christ
came and paid the price in full so that all sin, for all time,
is CLEANSED and not just covered. Christ’s cleansing
gives us MUCH to rejoice in every day.
Challenge & Application
1. What is the difference in the blood sacrifices of bulls
and goats and the blood sacrifice of Christ?
2. Who will you share this Good News with this week?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!