Daily Writing

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me. Hebrews 10:5

The word, “Therefore,” is given to introduce an evaluation of what Christ’s coming means based on what has been presented. The author has said that the law was a mere shadow of what was coming in Christ, and that the sacrifices of the law could never make those who approach perfect (10:1). He then asked a rhetorical question based on that. If those sacrifices could have perfected those who approached, wouldn’t they have ceased being offered? (10:2). He then noted that in the sacrifices themselves, there was actually a yearly reminder of sin (10:3). And then he explicitly stated that it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins (10:4).

With these things stated, he shows that all of these points demonstrated the necessity of Christ to come, and that the Old Covenant was only given as a stepping stone on the way to the giving of the New Covenant. This will be revealed over the next few verses. For now, he goes directly to the coming of Christ by saying, “when He came into the world, He said.” This takes us back to Chapter 9 where it said that “Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands” (9:24).

He was the subject of that verse, and everything said after that, until the end of the chapter. The author now returns to the coming of Christ by quoting what is said of Him in Scripture. In other words, Christ, as anticipated in the Old Testament, is the fulfillment of the prophetic word of God. The author cites Psalm 40:6-8, a psalm written by David, and he attributes the words there to Christ. It is as if He was speaking out those words, even before His incarnation.

As this is so, then Christ is, in fact, the fulfillment of what is stated in that prophetic word. This is certain because there is no other record in the New Testament where Christ actually said this. The author takes it as an axiom that what is stated there in the Psalm is referring to Christ Jesus. Further, it cannot be said that this was David merely referring to himself. This will be seen as the citation of the verses continue. For now, and with this understanding, he then begins the citation with, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire.”

The words here are quoted in relation to Christ, and thus “You” is God. In other words, “Sacrifice and offering You (God) did not desire.” This begins to explain the purpose of the “Therefore.” The author showed (as noted above) that the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant was incapable of removing sin in man. But removing sin in man is the only way for man to be restored to God. As this is so, then it cannot be that God desired sacrifice and offering, meaning of those things mandated under the Old Covenant. And yet, He mandated them in the covenant. This again shows us that those things were only given as types and shadows of what God Himself would do in Christ Jesus. Understanding this, the author continues the citation of the psalm with, “But a body You have prepared for Me.”

The author of Hebrews uses the Greek translation of the psalm, but the Hebrew reads, “My ears you have opened.” Though that is a remarkable change from the Hebrew to the Greek, the difference is explained in the fact that hearing the command leads to obedience. In obedience, the person then submits his body to the will of God. Having ears implies having a body to which the ears are attached. In preparing a body, ears are likewise prepared. Hence, “a body You have prepared for Me,” is not a large difference from the original, and it carries the sense of the Hebrew.

It is the incarnate body of Christ Jesus which is spoken of here. Again, think of it! The author of the psalms is writing, under the covenant in which he existed, that God did not desire the very sacrifices and offerings that he participated in year after year. If this psalm were not understood to be a prophecy of Christ, the psalmist (David) would have been taken out and stoned for blasphemy! But David (meaning God speaking through him) completely dismisses the effectual nature of the Old Covenant sacrificial system, and he cites words that could only be speaking of a human – “But a body You have prepared for Me.”

The psalmist is showing, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that a HUMAN BEING would replace the Old Covenant system of sacrifices and offerings. If Israel today just stopped and considered this, as the author did two thousand years ago, then they would never reintroduce the sacrifices of the Old Covenant. They would say, “According to our own Scriptures, these have no merit.”

Life application: The statement, “He came into the world,” is one of the most profound statements that we could ever contemplate. God united with human flesh. No other event in the stream of time will ever compare to what happened at that moment. As the world turns, as the earth moves through the hugely vast solar system, and that in turn moves through an even more vast galaxy – in the midst of billions of galaxies – and all of them moving through the continuum of time and space, no other thing which has ever occurred compares to the coming Christ. Christ Jesus came – perfectly pure and holy – to redeem man. And man is the one part of creation that is said to bear God’s image. But despite this, man can also deny the very Creator whose image he bears. Imagine the immensity of that thought. And yet, even more, it is not just a few of us, but every one of us since creation, who has denied or shunned Him at one time or another. We have all put our desires above the obligation to glorify Him. Instead of releasing His sustaining hand and returning us to nothing, God sent Christ into the world to reconcile us to the Father, showing us His immense love for us in the process. But it also reveals the truth that no sacrifice, no offering, and no payment from us is acceptable to God apart from Jesus. Instead, a body was prepared, a Man came, and a life was given. Don’t be so utterly foolish as to accept less than God’s offer of Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, if it were up to us… if it were up to us, we would lose our salvation ten seconds after we received it by faith in Christ. But how wonderful it is to know that it’s not up to us at all! Your power to save is far greater than our inadequacy to obey. All glory, honor, majesty, and praise belongs to You alone! Amen.

Monday, 21 January 2019

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Hebrews 10:4

This verse finishes summing up the need for Christ and His perfect work described in chapter 9. The statement is simple, but it carries huge significance for the ancient worshipers, and also for those around the world today – animal sacrifices are insufficient to take away sin. But this is exactly what was mandated in the Old Covenant sacrificial system, of which the Day of Atonement rituals were an integral and mandatory part. As the author says, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”

The “blood of goats and bulls” was explicitly referred to in verse 9:13, and these sacrifices are that which was discussed in detail, both before and after that verse. Were these sacrifices effectual in accomplishing what they were given to do? The answer is an explicit, “No!” One might then question why they were done at all. The answer is that they were anticipatory in nature. God accepted them in anticipation of their fulfillment in Christ. Other than that, they were ineffectual and they had no ability to take away sin.

Why is this so important to understand? It is because such sacrifices went on continually even before the time of the law. They went from the time of Adam, through the time of Noah, Job, and Abraham. And then they continued under the Law of Moses right up to the time of Christ Jesus. And yes, they continue on today in parts of the world.

In various cultures or religions – Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Pagan, etc. – there are sects of individuals who perform blood sacrifices in an attempt to appease God or cleanse themselves of sin. But the Bible is perfectly clear – animal sacrifices can never take away the feelings of guilt because they cannot remove sin. They can only remind people of their sin and guilt.

The very rituals which are conducted in an attempt to cleanse nagging feelings of wrongdoing only make things worse. We know this intuitively because many cultures of the past went so far as to perform human sacrifices instead of animal sacrifices. Such rituals are recorded in the Bible and in the history of many societies.

Modern cultures have forbidden this, but the fact that they were conducted shows an understanding that animals were insufficient to purge sin. However, even these human sacrifices couldn’t cleanse. Why? Because the humans that were sacrificed were stained with their own sin. It is impossible to transfer sin-guilt to an already sin-tarnished person.

Even infant sacrifices (such as mentioned in Jeremiah 32:35) were insufficient. King David records in Psalm 51:5 that we are sinful from birth, even from conception. There is no sacrifice apart from Christ Jesus that can take away sin. But the cross of Christ can cleanse from all sin. Only the sinless God/Man could truly atone for the sins of the world. Thanks be to God for Christ Jesus!

Life application: A temple is going to be rebuilt in Jerusalem, and the blood sacrifices of the Old Covenant are going to be reinstated. This is what the Bible says is coming. However exciting it is to see this prophecy coming true, Christians should not rejoice for the Jews that it is coming. Instead, they should mourn. They have already rejected what these animal sacrifices only pointed to, the Messiah Jesus. Christians should continue to get the word out to Israel that they have missed the mark, and that what they are doing, though prophesied in advance, is only a mournful last step on their way to finally calling on Christ.

Heavenly Father, though it is exciting to see prophecy being fulfilled in Israel concerning a coming temple and the sacrifices which will be conducted there, it is also mournful. They have missed what these things were intended to point to; they have missed the final and true Sacrifice of Christ. Lord God, open their eyes to the Messiah who has come and who has provided the full, final, and forever cleansing from sin. Open their eyes to Christ Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, 20 January 2019

But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. Hebrews 10:3

Verse 10:1 spoke of the “same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year,” and how they were insufficient to perfect the worshipers who made them. Instead, they did exactly the opposite of what the people thought they were doing. They judged themselves free of sin and guilt because of them, but in the sacrifices there was actually a reminder to them that they were sin-filled. As the author says, “in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.” The very fact that these sacrifices continued to be made each year, it demonstrated to the people that they had an ongoing need to have their sins atoned for.

This is exactly what happens in churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples all around the world every day. It is also the same thing that happens in the hearts of the people who deny an all-wise Creator. When they do acts of charity for others – for whatever reason – they are attempting to justify themselves in the presence of God (whether they acknowledge Him as such or not). A good example of incorrect justification is Canon 10 of the Council of Trent, to which Roman Catholicism adheres –

“If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.”

The claim here is that man is not justified by the work of Jesus Christ alone. Instead, the claim is made that there is more than faith that is “required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification.” It goes on to say that anyone who claims they are justified in this manner (by faith in Christ alone) is anathema. In fact, making this statement is, by default, calling 1) Jesus anathema; 2) Paul anathema; 3) the Bible insufficient as a source for understanding holiness, and thus not God’s infallible revelation to man. Our sacrifices – whether in the temple of old or in our charitable deeds of today – can never justify us, nor add to our justification. Instead, we are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

Life application: The words of the Roman Catholic church, which state that more than faith is required for “the obtaining of the grace of Justification,” are a logical contradiction. One cannot merit grace. By its very definition, grace is unmerited favor. When listening to, or reading the works of, scholars and theologians, don’t assume that because they have a certain degree, a special title, or speak for a certain church or denomination that this means they are speaking out biblical truth. One of the greatest errors of all is to believe someone simply because they speak in an authoritative way, or because they fill an authoritative position. Proper doctrine comes from Scripture, and from it alone. Commentaries are often a great help in understanding what is being said, but they must be presented in accord with Scripture.

Lord Jesus, let us not miss the mark. We are truly, surely, and completely justified by faith in You and Your work alone. Let us not be so prideful or haughty as to ever claim we could add to what You have done in order to stand right in the presence of God. All glory – every last bit of it – belongs to You alone. Amen.

Saturday, 19 January 2019

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. Hebrews 10:2

The Greek word translated as “For then” is one given to, “Assume what precedes is true, and understand what follows to be appropriate and applicable” (HELPS Word Studies). The author has just been speaking of the sacrifices which were offered “continually year by year.” He noted that they could never “make those who approach perfect.” The reason for this is that if they could, then would they not have ceased to be offered?” The Greek is more forceful, using a present participle. It should say, “cease being offered.” The idea is the constant, unending stream of sacrifices which is being highlighted.

Despite this, the question is obvious, and it shows the inherent imperfection in the annual rite. The very fact that the Day of Atonement came about every year, and that the people needed to observe it every year, actually highlighted that it was incapable of bringing those who observed it to perfection. If those sacrifices could have made them perfect, they would, in fact, have ceased to be offered. This is in contrast to Christ. His offering was a one-time for all-time offering for sin as verse 9:28 so poignantly noted.

The author next continues after his question by pronouncing the reality of the situation –

Question: For then would they not have ceased to be offered?
Statement of fact: For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

If, in fact, the Day of Atonement rites could have made those who approach perfect, those who observed it “would have had no more consciousness of sins.” The author, using the term, “once purified,” shows that no such one-time purification took place. The idea of the word “perfect” doesn’t mean “almost perfect.” Rather, there would have been a single observance of the Day of Atonement for any given individual, and that person would then be perfected; no longer needing to go back for a sin-covering tune-up. But the high priest was high priest for life, and he had to sacrifice for his own sin each and every time he went in. If he wasn’t perfected, then neither were those on whose behalf he ministered. The very rites performed witness to their inability to resolve the situation they were supposed to resolve.

The “consciousness of sin” spoken of here does not mean “memory,” as if there is no more memory of having sinned. It rather speaks of an understanding of the need for atonement for sins committed after the sacrifice. In other words, and as an example, one could think of one’s own health –

If a person had a sickness that might lead to death, he would obviously go to a doctor to receive the cure for his ailment. If the person was cured, the question proposed by the author here would then be valid. If he went one time and was cured forever, never to get sick and possibly die again, then he would never need to go to a doctor again. He would have passed from being mortal to immortal. However, if he could get sick again, then – if and when he got sick – he would need to go again for treatment. This would demonstrate that he was not perfected by the doctor each time he went. Anytime a sickness arose, it would be a reminder of his mortal state. However, if he was cured, one-time and for all-time, then he would no longer have a consciousness of his mortality. This doesn’t mean he wouldn’t remember that he was once mortal, but he would no longer have a consciousness of bearing that mortal state.

This is what the author is saying about our fallen state. We have an infection, sin, which under the Law of Moses could not be completely cured. It only received a temporary fix, but it never perfected those who came for their hoped-for cure. Taking the verses (Hebrews 10:1, 2) and simply changing the appropriate words to physical health reveals the spiritual state of Israel under the law –

“For the hospital, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same medicines, which they administer continually (any time that a person got sick), make those who approach immortal. For then would they not have ceased to be administered? For the mortals, once cured completely, would have had no more consciousness of their mortal state.”

Think of it! If the wages of sin is death, and Jesus is the cure for that state, then when one comes to Jesus, he goes from sin, leading to death, to no sin, having obtained immortality. The cure is Christ.

Life application: As with every newly introduced thought in the book of Hebrews, the author assures, and reassures, the reader of the concept of freedom from guilt. He also assures the reader of eternal salvation. In Christ, all things are made new. Jesus asks you to leave all of your feelings of guilt at His cross, and then to accept that you are saved. Jesus Christ did not die to grant eternal insecurity, but rather eternal life. If someone tells you that you can lose your salvation, gently remind them that they have no idea what they are talking about. Then tell them to go get sound theology, and to stop harming the faith of those who have been, once and forever, purified by the precious blood of Christ. Who would dare call the sufficiency of His atonement into question? Make the effort today to trust Christ, and to trust that He has eternally cleansed you from your offenses.

O God we thank you for the complete and eternal cleansing power of the cross. Glory, honor, and majesty belong to You for the mighty deliverance You brought about on our behalf. Truly no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him! But now in Christ, we have seen that marvel. Amen.

Friday, 18 January 2019

For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. Hebrews 10:1

Chapter 10 continues with the idea of the sacrifices found under the Mosaic Law which have been contrasted to the more perfect sacrifice of Christ in fulfillment of the Old Covenant, and which then introduced the New. The author will now explain the deficiency which is found in the law (meaning the Mosaic Law) beginning with, “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come.”

Here we have two ideas which have already been stated separately, and which are now brought into one verse. The first is the “shadow” of the law in distinction to the reality found in the New Covenant. That was stated in verse 8:5, where the author said, “who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” The second speaks of “the good things to come.” That was seen in verse 9:11, which said, “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come.”

This “shadow of the good things to come” is then explained as being “not the very image of the things.” What Moses was told to construct, and what was then used by the people for their religious rites, was a shadowy reflection of that which is found in the coming Messiah. The Greek word, translated as “image” here, gives the sense of a representation, just as a statue represents the person who is being emulated. What was found in the sanctuary of Israel was only a shadow of such an image; nothing more than a vague representation of the reality found in Christ. Because of this, the author continues by saying that it “can never with these same sacrifices.”

Here it speaks of the sacrifices referred to in verses 9:12, 13, meaning the blood of calves and bulls and goats, as well as the ashes of a heifer. These, along with any other sacrifices mandated under the law, were offered to God, but they were only shadows given in anticipation of the time Jesus would come and fulfill what they only anticipated. Because of this, they were repeatedly made. As the author continues to say about them, the people would continually offer them, year by year.

What he is doing is demonstrating that because of their being continually offered, they actually accomplished nothing. If they did accomplish something, the people would be cleansed, purified, and perfected, but they weren’t. This is evident in his final words of the verse. He says that they can never “make those who approach perfect.” How he comes to this conclusion is obvious, but it won’t be revealed until the next two verses are given. For now, he simply takes it as an axiom that the sacrifices were wholly ineffectual in doing anything other than typifying Christ Jesus and His more perfect sacrifice.

If this is true, and it is, then this means that the entire system of the Mosaic law is also ineffectual in bringing people to a state of true holiness. If the sacrifices which were mandated for violation of the law couldn’t purify the people, and all people under the law were required to observe them, then –

1) They could not have been perfect before their observance. If they were, they would not have been required to observe them for their atonement.
2) As they did not perfect them after they were made, then they were ineffectual in doing what they were given to do. Thus,
3) In order for those under the law to be perfected, the institution of a New Covenant with a more perfect Sacrifice must be necessary. And therefore,
4) If a such a New Covenant is introduced, the Old Covenant, by default, must become obsolete for those who are brought into the New Covenant.

Life application: The author is, once again, demonstrating the utter folly of going back to observance of the Mosaic Law in any way, shape, or form. It was an ineffective system which could never perfect anyone. As perfection of the individual can (and does) come through Christ, then who in their right mind would come to Christ and then return to those things which were made obsolete by Christ? Come to Christ, rest in Christ, and continue to rest in Christ forever. Be done with those things which can never bring us closer to God.

Yes, Lord God! We are ever so grateful for what you have done on our behalf. We are made perfect, not through repetitive sacrifices and law observance, but through Your mighty work, accomplished on our behalf through Christ Jesus. To You we cry out, “Hallelujah!” Amen.