Today's short thoughts are from Hebrews 10:3-4 where the author is inspired to write, "But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."
The first thought that comes to my mind is that under the Law, there was a "reminder of sins" and in Christ there is the "remission of sins". The contrast is in the sacrifices that were offered "year by year" and the sacrifice that was offered "once for all". It was simply impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. But we must not miss the truth implied here. In light of the holiness of God, the need for something to "take away sin" was paramount.
Do not mistakenly think that God intended for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. We must remember that the Law was a tutor, or a school master to lead us to Christ. As the Apostle John was inspired to write of concerning Jesus; the Lamb of God appeared to take away sin. In Christ alone is there remission of sins and not the reminder of sins.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
As I continue my attempt to "blog" my short thoughts through the Book of Hebrews, I begin the 10th chapter today, and its first two verses. In Hebrews 10:1-2 we read, "For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have consciousness of sins?"
This is not a new truth being spoken of by the Hebrew author in this 10th chapter. He has written of it already in the preceding chapters. But it seems clear that God has inspired him to write of this truth in different ways, with each proclaiming the supremacy of Christ. The contrast is evident. The Law, though ordained by God to be a "school master", could never bring about perfection for the person or the people through the observance of its sacrifices. The continuance of the "same sacrifices year by year" was itself a testimony to this truth. It was "only a shadow of the good things to come" and these would be found in Christ.
The question posed in the second verse makes the point again. If the sacrifices which had been offered under the Law could make the worshiper "perfect", no longer with "consciousness of sins", they simply would have ceased to be offered. They would have accomplished their purpose. But again, this was not their purpose. Their purpose was to point to a day in which the One who knew no sin would become sin for us. The day in which He would die once for all. Oh, to be thankful for the Lord Jesus!
This is not a new truth being spoken of by the Hebrew author in this 10th chapter. He has written of it already in the preceding chapters. But it seems clear that God has inspired him to write of this truth in different ways, with each proclaiming the supremacy of Christ. The contrast is evident. The Law, though ordained by God to be a "school master", could never bring about perfection for the person or the people through the observance of its sacrifices. The continuance of the "same sacrifices year by year" was itself a testimony to this truth. It was "only a shadow of the good things to come" and these would be found in Christ.
The question posed in the second verse makes the point again. If the sacrifices which had been offered under the Law could make the worshiper "perfect", no longer with "consciousness of sins", they simply would have ceased to be offered. They would have accomplished their purpose. But again, this was not their purpose. Their purpose was to point to a day in which the One who knew no sin would become sin for us. The day in which He would die once for all. Oh, to be thankful for the Lord Jesus!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
Today's short thoughts come from the final two verses of Hebrews chapter nine. Here, in verses 27 and 28 we read, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."
Perhaps to all, these are sobering words. Perhaps to some, they are words that promote fear and uncertainty. "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment". But within the verse the Gospel rings out! Christ was "offered once to bear the sins of many" and in Him we find hope. Because He bore my sins on Calvary's cross I need not bear my own.
And what now awaits those who "eagerly await Him", those who find themselves "hidden with Christ in God"? When He appears again, and He will, our salvation will take that final step beyond positional truth and be realized in its fullest sense when we see Him, "face to face". "When this perishable will have put on the imperishable and this mortal will have put on immortality", then we will know fully our victory in Jesus!
Perhaps to all, these are sobering words. Perhaps to some, they are words that promote fear and uncertainty. "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment". But within the verse the Gospel rings out! Christ was "offered once to bear the sins of many" and in Him we find hope. Because He bore my sins on Calvary's cross I need not bear my own.
And what now awaits those who "eagerly await Him", those who find themselves "hidden with Christ in God"? When He appears again, and He will, our salvation will take that final step beyond positional truth and be realized in its fullest sense when we see Him, "face to face". "When this perishable will have put on the imperishable and this mortal will have put on immortality", then we will know fully our victory in Jesus!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
Today's short thoughts find there source in Hebrews 9:25-26 where we read, "nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself."
No, He would not offer Himself often but only once. Sufficient! Satisfied! Finished! The degree that He suffered when He "became sin" and the sufficiency of His sacrifice would negate forever any further suffering for Him to endure. And He would not enter the holy place with "blood not his own". The high priests who entered the holy place year after year served as a copy, or shadow of what He would do one day. Their sacrifices could not "put away sin" but they did look forward to the one that would. The sacrifice of Himself. "Oh, precious is the flow. That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
No, He would not offer Himself often but only once. Sufficient! Satisfied! Finished! The degree that He suffered when He "became sin" and the sufficiency of His sacrifice would negate forever any further suffering for Him to endure. And He would not enter the holy place with "blood not his own". The high priests who entered the holy place year after year served as a copy, or shadow of what He would do one day. Their sacrifices could not "put away sin" but they did look forward to the one that would. The sacrifice of Himself. "Oh, precious is the flow. That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
Monday, December 14, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
Today's short thoughts come from the passage of scripture found in Hebrews 9:23-24 where the author writes, "Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."
Again, the Hebrew author is inspired to write of that which is better in Christ. In these verses we see an emphasis on the origin of the "holy place" in which Christ entered and the better sacrifice that He offered. The earthly tabernacle is described as a "mere copy of the true one". Without a doubt this "holy place made with hands" had great significance and was ordained by God. But its significance was based on what it represented, what it was a copy of; heaven itself.
Where no other high priest could have ever entered, Jesus entered the very throne room of God to offer a better sacrifice. Into heaven itself, Jesus appeared in the very presence of God with an all sufficient sacrifice. And how can we not marvel at the last words seen in today's passage? "For us" the writer declares under divine inspiration. Yes, for you and for me. Praise God!
Again, the Hebrew author is inspired to write of that which is better in Christ. In these verses we see an emphasis on the origin of the "holy place" in which Christ entered and the better sacrifice that He offered. The earthly tabernacle is described as a "mere copy of the true one". Without a doubt this "holy place made with hands" had great significance and was ordained by God. But its significance was based on what it represented, what it was a copy of; heaven itself.
Where no other high priest could have ever entered, Jesus entered the very throne room of God to offer a better sacrifice. Into heaven itself, Jesus appeared in the very presence of God with an all sufficient sacrifice. And how can we not marvel at the last words seen in today's passage? "For us" the writer declares under divine inspiration. Yes, for you and for me. Praise God!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
As I continue to "blog through Hebrews", several verses in chapter nine will serve as the source for today's short thoughts. In Hebrews 9: 16-22 we read, "For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD COMMANDED YOU." And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
If I had to summarize my short thoughts regarding this portion of scripture with a single word, I would choose the word necessity. It speaks to the necessity of a new covenant. The necessity of validity. The necessity of a death. The necesesity of shed blood. The necessity of forgiveness. The necessity of cleansing. Yes, it speaks to the necessity of Christ!
If I had to summarize my short thoughts regarding this portion of scripture with a single word, I would choose the word necessity. It speaks to the necessity of a new covenant. The necessity of validity. The necessity of a death. The necesesity of shed blood. The necessity of forgiveness. The necessity of cleansing. Yes, it speaks to the necessity of Christ!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
The passage of scripture for today's short thoughts is found in Hebrews 9:15. Here the author writes, "And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."
This is one of those "gold mine" passages of scripture. It is a Bible verse that you could spend days or months or even years exploring its depths. Without a doubt, much has been written about the many truths that it speaks of. A sound preacher of the Gospel would find sufficient material to preach sermon upon sermon. In keeping with my desire to share only "short thoughts" in this forum, I will simply touch a few of the topics on which one might ponder the wonders of our Lord.
"This reason": The efficacious blood of Christ.
"The mediator": "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
"A death": A most unique death. "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
"The redemption": Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
"Transgressions": Our sins.
"Those who have been called": Sovereign election. Lavished grace. The kind intention of His will. Predestined.
"The promise of eternal inheritance": His promise. His children. His presence.
Praise the wonderful and gracious word of God!
This is one of those "gold mine" passages of scripture. It is a Bible verse that you could spend days or months or even years exploring its depths. Without a doubt, much has been written about the many truths that it speaks of. A sound preacher of the Gospel would find sufficient material to preach sermon upon sermon. In keeping with my desire to share only "short thoughts" in this forum, I will simply touch a few of the topics on which one might ponder the wonders of our Lord.
"This reason": The efficacious blood of Christ.
"The mediator": "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
"A death": A most unique death. "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
"The redemption": Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
"Transgressions": Our sins.
"Those who have been called": Sovereign election. Lavished grace. The kind intention of His will. Predestined.
"The promise of eternal inheritance": His promise. His children. His presence.
Praise the wonderful and gracious word of God!
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