Click here to open the Video Devotional
Hebrews 10:1-4
I believe the key verse in this passage is Hebrews 10:4 (NKJV), “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” The author of Hebrews has been teaching us about the difference between the sacrificial system of the Law, which was a copy/picture of the true sacrificial system of heaven. The blood shed of the animal was a substitute for the real thing in the sacrifice which required the blood and death of the testator (Hebrews 9:16-17). If the substitute sacrifice was sufficient to purify from sin, then there would be no need to continue offering sacrifices year after year (Hebrews 10:1-2). The sacrificial system of the Law was not to purify or remove sin, but to be a reminder of sin and the need for the perfect sacrifice that would satisfy the requirement for purification (Hebrews 10:3).
This is a promise and example of the insufficiencies of the sacrificial system of the Law.
The sacrificial system of the Law was to bring the people to God in recognition of their sin and the need for God’s forgiveness – to truly feel in one’s heart the need for God to save them from the wrath of sin which is condemnation. Jesus summed up condemnation in John 3:16-19 (NKJV), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Jesus tells us in John 8:12 (ESV), “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus put light in our darkened lives, and when this happens the darkness flees from the light. God gives us proof of these things in our lives. Go into a dark room and turn on the light; the darkness flees. It is the same when you invite Jesus into your heart and ask of His forgiveness – the darkness of your heart will flee as the light of Christ Jesus fills you through His Holy Spirit. A new life is then born – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that we cannot bring about purity in our lives by ourselves – it takes the purity of the sacrifice that Jesus gave to satisfy the requirement of the penalty for sin. The Apostle Paul proclaims in Romans 6:23 (NIV), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Thank You Jesus for paving the way to forgiveness for all who will believe in You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.