In studying the book of Hebrews, you learn a great deal about Jesus. You gain a clear understanding of who He is and why you desperately need to follow Him home.
Jesus is the answer to the problem that plagues every human being. We are sinful. We fall short of God’s glorious standard, see Romans 3:23. Sin comes with a hefty price tag. Look at Romans 6:23 to see the cost and what happens when you follow Christ.
Read Hebrews 10:1-18. Throughout the Old Testament, many animal sacrifices were made to atone for man’s sins. Refresh yourself with Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Look at Matthew 26:28 and Leviticus 17:11 for added insight.
In verse 1, you read about the old system that was under the law of Moses. It is a shadow, a preview of what is to come that is simply amazing. When you know Jesus intimately, you understand this reality. Jesus is all you need. Anything in the world keeps you yearning for more. One’s soul is always searching. In Christ, your soul is settled. Life may be throwing curve balls at you left and right but your soul will be content, and you know that Jesus is fighting your battles for you. You are not alone.
Why are animal sacrifices unable to cleanse you and I from sin, see verse 1? If they could provide perfect cleansing, what would happen to believers, see verse 2? What do you learn from verses 3-4 about the Old Testament sacrifices?
Then Christ came into the world, and this changed the way people can relate to God. In verses 5-7. you read about God’s heart. What do you learn about God? What do you learn about Jesus?
You are called to live like Christ. He came to do His Father’s will, “as it is written in the Scriptures.”7 Keep studying your Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out.
What you learn from verse 8 is that God allowed various sacrifices to be made for man’s sin for the time being in the Old Testament. They did not please God, but it was needed before He called down His Son to be the perfect sacrifice. What do you learn about Jesus from verses 9-10?
Christ cancels the first covenant, the old system which was under the law of Moses (or God) in order to put the eternal covenant into effect. The shedding of Christ’s blood fulfilled the penalty of sin. No other sacrifice is needed. When you follow Christ and live by the Spirit, walking obediently in God’s ways, you become a child of God and you are placed on the narrow road that leads to heaven. Check out Matthew 7:13-14 and Acts 4:12 to see why the road to heaven is narrow.
According to verse 11, you get a picture of what life was like for believers under the old system of connecting with God. What makes a priest’s job futile? How is Jesus different, see verse 12? Where is Jesus right now and what is He doing, see verses 12-13?
“For by that one offering, Jesus forever made perfect those who are being made holy.”14
In verses 15-18, you learn how amazing the new covenant is with Christ at the helm. You see the loving, intimate nature of our Heavenly Father. You and I become His people, His family, the ones He is pleased with. Moses found favor with God by his faith and obedience. In Exodus 33:17 you read, “I (God) will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
God places His laws, His ways within your heart and He writes them on your mind as well. You will know Christ when you seek Him wholeheartedly. Look at verse 18 in Exodus 33 and see Moses’ response to God, “Show me your glorious presence.” Jesus is all you need.
A believer is the most content and satisfied when he simply exists in God’s presence. As it says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” For this to happen, you must be like John the Baptist in John 3:30, “He (Jesus) must become greater and greater, and I become less and less.” What needs to be cleared away in your schedule for this to happen?
Verse 17 shows why Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for you and I. God says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Read Jeremiah 31:33 for added insight into the unity that results from a repentant believer and God.
Finally, you learn how Jesus’ sacrifice satisfied God in verse 18. What does this verse say?
May you be enthralled and humbled over the fact that Jesus died for you. You and I do not deserve the love that He shows us, but for some weird reason, God loves us despite our short-comings. He loves you even though He is taking a chance with you and me and everyone else in this decrepit world. He gives man a choice to follow His Son or not. Unfortunately, most reject the love that is at their fingertips. Only a few walk the narrow road. Only a few endure to the end, see Matthew 10:22 and 24:13. Only an elite group will keep oil in their lamps ready for Christ’s arrival to take them home, read Matthew 25:1-13.
You and I need Jesus for He is perfect for each one of us. Say yes and allow God to give you His Kingdom.
Carol J German 