Scripture: 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. 2 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. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”
8 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. 9 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.
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.
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.

Observation: I find it interesting once again that we can see clearly the law was not established to bring people to Holiness, it was just a reminder of our sinfulness. God said the blood of bulls and rams could never take away sin, and He knew this sacrifice would be every  year, not really getting any closer to sinlessness. In fact, it says here that He was not pleased or desired this sacrifice, but it was required at this time. But Jesus changed all that. God knew only one final sacrifice would ever accomplish holiness and the forgiveness of our sins. And what a promise He makes us; He will remember our sins and lawless acts no more. Sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary to those who have accepted this forgiveness.

Application: to not take for granted the grace and forgiveness I’ve been given. I may not have to sacrifice a bull or goat when I sin anymore, and I don’t have that ritual to remind me of my lawlessness, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t actively strive for, and desire, holiness.

 

Prayer: As we work our way through your word, it just becomes more clear that your plan for us all is incredible. Lord, I may never quite understand how the blood of Jesus pays for my sins and the sins of everyone, but I know it does. I do not wish to take this for granted. Thank you for remembering my sins no more, thank you for writing your word on my heart and my mind. Thank you that your sacrifice was perfect and was the final one, the only one, required to cleanse the world of my sin. Jesus, today I ask for your guidance and wisdom through my day. God may you give me words of life to speak into others as I encounter them today. In Jesus name, amen.