Scripture
Hebrews 10:1-14 (ESV)
1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Consequently, when Christ[a] came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ[b] had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
5 Consequently, when Christ[a] came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ[b] had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Devotional #136 - Jesus, Messiah: "Old Testament Sacrifices"
The great prophet Moses was instructed to set apart Aaron and his sons, to serve as the first priests. Like the prophets, they acted as mediators between God and humanity, but instead of conveying God’s words, they were instructed to facilitate the offerings to God.
None of these sacrifices took away sin! “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). They were temporary and imperfect, a foreshadowing of the true sacrifice of Jesus Himself; the only sacrifice acceptable to God.
None of these sacrifices took away sin! “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). They were temporary and imperfect, a foreshadowing of the true sacrifice of Jesus Himself; the only sacrifice acceptable to God.
Question
What was the purpose of the Old Testament sacrificial system?
*No other sacrifice is needed today! Rejoice in Christ’s love for you!
*No other sacrifice is needed today! Rejoice in Christ’s love for you!
Scripture
Romans 5:12-21 (ESV)
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned-- 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass[b] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[c] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass[b] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[c] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Devotional #137 - Jesus, Messiah: "Offering Up Himself"
Jesus is our perfect priest. He not only offered up the sacrifice, but He, himself was the sacrifice. In his offering up his body “once and for all,” Jesus was satisfying two parameters for our redemption.
First, He paid for our sins. Jesus experienced the full wrath of God as punishment for our sins. Second, through Jesus’ perfect obedience, He satisfied the law of God for entrance into Heaven and full restoration of our relationship with God. “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). In theological parlance, we speak of the former as passive obedience (although there is nothing passive about this work) and the latter as his active obedience. We have been redeemed by Jesus’ priestly work for us.
*Rejoice in the fullness of Jesus’ sacrifice. He has saved us from our past to save us for our present and future.
First, He paid for our sins. Jesus experienced the full wrath of God as punishment for our sins. Second, through Jesus’ perfect obedience, He satisfied the law of God for entrance into Heaven and full restoration of our relationship with God. “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). In theological parlance, we speak of the former as passive obedience (although there is nothing passive about this work) and the latter as his active obedience. We have been redeemed by Jesus’ priestly work for us.
*Rejoice in the fullness of Jesus’ sacrifice. He has saved us from our past to save us for our present and future.
Scripture
Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Devotional #138 - Jesus, Messiah: "Priestly Intercession"
Jesus as our High Priest continues his priestly role by interceding on behalf of us at the right hand of God. Jesus is continuing to save to us by delivering us from our temptations. Since Jesus lived fully as a man, he can sympathize with our temptations, suffering, and fragility. We know that He understands us and will continue to minister to us as we draw close to Him.
*Does Jesus’ priestly duties end with His sacrifice? No. Jesus continues to minister to us. Let us draw near to Him, knowing that He is eager to serve us.
*Does Jesus’ priestly duties end with His sacrifice? No. Jesus continues to minister to us. Let us draw near to Him, knowing that He is eager to serve us.