Study in Hebrews
We have seen previously that up to now the old covenant was just a picture of what is to come. ie Jesus.
Here he is summing up what we have seen up to now in Hebrews.
1/ The law could not take away sin.
In the first 4 verses we hear again that the animal sacrifices was only a shadow of what was to come. The death of Jesus provided the sacrifice we need. If the old sacrifices could have taken away sin they wouldn't have to keep repeating them. The worshippers would have stopped feeling guilty for their sins. The sacrifices were only an annual reminder of their sin. It reminded them they needed forgiveness from God. The perfect sacrifice hadn't yet come. Verse 4 reminds us it was impossible for the hood of bulls and goats to take away sin. Believers in that time had faith that the perfect sacrifice would be made, whereas we have the privilege to look back at that perfect sacrifice in Jesus Christ.
2/ The sacrifice of Christ has made sinners holy.
Verse 5 starts with that is why. Referring back to the bulls and goats he now goes on to say that is why Christ came into the world. The OT Levitical offerings weren't what God was really after. He prepared a human body in His Son to be that perfect offering. That perfect sacrifice. Jesus would do the will of God His Father. His obedience was essential for our salvation. Verse 10 tells us a holy life ends with a death that makes us holy.
Day after day the priests stood to make sacrifices. They did their work standing. Jesus work is completed and He is now sitting at Gods right hand. Seated, finished. The sacrifice is completed but not yet the victory. Verse 13 tells us He waits until His enemies are humbled and made a footstool under His feet.
We have in Jesus a perfect and a sufficient sacrifice. We can't improve on it.
3/ The spirit testified to this complete forgiveness.
Here the writer takes us back to the writings of Jeremiah. He has already talked about this passage in chapter 8.
He reminds us God will write His laws on the hearts of His people. Man was going to have a desire to please God. He adds in verse 17 the reminder that the sins that we're forgiven would not be remembered again. Remember we said in the OT the sacrifices were just a reminder OT the people of their sins. Here we now see in the new covenant that because of Jesus' complete sacrifice those sins that are atoned for will never agin be remembered. Full and complete forgiveness can only be found when you come to Jesus and put your faith and trust in Him. Come to Him for forgiveness of your sins and repent of your sins and trust Him to be your saviour.
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