Setting – Christ was the acceptable sacrifice.
Content – The old sacrifices were an example (“shadow”) of Christ sacrifice. The old sacrifices didn’t fully remove sin (v. 1, 3b NLT) “The sacrifices under the old system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship” and “Those yearly sacrifices reminded them of their sins year after year.” This is because (v. 4 NLT) “it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
So Christ came into the world because Christ needed to be the sacrifice because (v. 6 NLT) “you were not pleased with animals burned on the altar or with other offerings for sin” instead (v. 10 NLT) “God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” The old sacrifices were done year after year, but with Christ’s (v. 14 NLT) “one offering he perfected forever all those whom he is making holy”. From this sacrifice (v. 17 NLT) “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Now (v. 18 NLT) “sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices”
After Christ completed God’s will (v. 12b NLT) “he sat down at the place of highest honor at God's right hand” Now (v. 13 NLT) “he waits until his enemies are humbled as a footstool under his feet”
Application – We are indebted to Christ for all time. God’s will was to have an acceptable sacrifice for all time to cover our sins. Christ followed Gods will and offered himself on the cross. Romans 5:18 (NASB) “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.” This act of Christ alone is worthy of our daily thankfulness. Because of his sacrifice, we live as sinless people in God’s eyes. Even though we still sin, we remain sinless in God’s eyes. Of course this is why Paul wrote to the Romans (Rom 6:1-2 NASB) “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Even though our sin now and in the future is forgiven, this doesn’t give us a free ticket to commit sin. In fact, a Christian must question their salvation if they don’t grieve over their sin. Because of our sin, an innocent man died for our sinful nature. But this freedom should release us from the bondage of guilt and shame. If God isn’t holding us to our sin, what gives us the right to? We are free people. Free to move beyond the pain and regret that sin tries to cover us with.
Content – The old sacrifices were an example (“shadow”) of Christ sacrifice. The old sacrifices didn’t fully remove sin (v. 1, 3b NLT) “The sacrifices under the old system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship” and “Those yearly sacrifices reminded them of their sins year after year.” This is because (v. 4 NLT) “it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
So Christ came into the world because Christ needed to be the sacrifice because (v. 6 NLT) “you were not pleased with animals burned on the altar or with other offerings for sin” instead (v. 10 NLT) “God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” The old sacrifices were done year after year, but with Christ’s (v. 14 NLT) “one offering he perfected forever all those whom he is making holy”. From this sacrifice (v. 17 NLT) “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Now (v. 18 NLT) “sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices”
After Christ completed God’s will (v. 12b NLT) “he sat down at the place of highest honor at God's right hand” Now (v. 13 NLT) “he waits until his enemies are humbled as a footstool under his feet”
Application – We are indebted to Christ for all time. God’s will was to have an acceptable sacrifice for all time to cover our sins. Christ followed Gods will and offered himself on the cross. Romans 5:18 (NASB) “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.” This act of Christ alone is worthy of our daily thankfulness. Because of his sacrifice, we live as sinless people in God’s eyes. Even though we still sin, we remain sinless in God’s eyes. Of course this is why Paul wrote to the Romans (Rom 6:1-2 NASB) “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Even though our sin now and in the future is forgiven, this doesn’t give us a free ticket to commit sin. In fact, a Christian must question their salvation if they don’t grieve over their sin. Because of our sin, an innocent man died for our sinful nature. But this freedom should release us from the bondage of guilt and shame. If God isn’t holding us to our sin, what gives us the right to? We are free people. Free to move beyond the pain and regret that sin tries to cover us with.
Comments