Today’s passage: Hebrews 10:1-10
Helpful thoughts:
- The writer of Hebrews continues to show the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old. But more than that, we read today that the New Covenant replaces the Old.
- “He does away with the first in order to establish the second.” (Verse 9)
- The annual sacrifices were to produce a continual awareness of sin. The annual sacrifices were designed to teach Israel that those methods were not fixing the root problem. A better sacrifice was needed to bring about true change.
- The words of Psalm 40:6-8 are quoted. God is not satisfied with animal sacrifices alone, He is worthy of change of heart and actions. Christ would come and do God’s will to bring this about in His people.
- This means Christ’s death paid for our sins, and it also guarantees our final sanctification.
Questions to consider:
- With all of this tied together, what was God’s will in Christ’s suffering? What all did it (And what all will it) accomplish?
- How does this passage better help us to understand whether we are responsible to keep the Old Testament Law? Is the Old Covenant still in effect? Is God worthy of our pursuit of righteousness? Which concepts and commands from the Law make sense to continue to keep today and which ones were clearly for that time and that nation? (For example: You are now allowed to eat bacon (Pork), but you should still love God and love your neighbor…why?)
- How does God’s interest in the change in our hearts help us to think rightly about His “plans” for our lives? We often think about events and physical results, what does God see and desire first?