Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Wednesday, February 8th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Exodus 28-29
Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 10:1-4

1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

The sacrifices of the OT could not give people full access to God, the veil always remained - until Jesus died and it was ripped from top to bottom.  (I love that!)

However, the system was still valuable because it was, at least, a shadow, pointing people to God and to the hope of salvation.  It was also valuable because it was a constant reminder of the seriousness of sin and of God's holiness.  And it maintained an external fellowship with God, covering sin.

But the sacrifices could only cover sin, they could not remove sin.  It's impossible for the blood of animals to take away sin - if that worked, there would've been no reason for Jesus to die.  The the blood of animals was not enough.  The death of Jesus was the requirement for our salvation.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 10:5-10
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Exodus 30-32

1 comment:

Miriam said...

The saying is true, "Nothing worth having comes without a price," (I may be paraphrasing) and that is especially true in this case. The price was very high. When I think about it from the perspective that Jesus gave his very life so that I would not have to die for my sin, it seems a very selfish thing not to live for him in return.