Hebrews 10:5

Hebrews 10:5

The old has gone, the new has come!

Before we look at the next verses in detail, it is worth pointing out that the Greek words used in verse 5-8 actually describe four of the five main offerings made at the Tabernacle / Temple. These are fellowship, grain, burnt and sin offerings. The only one missing is the guilt offering. These are all described in detail in Leviticus 1-7. 

The suggestion here is that when Christ came to our world and became fully cognizant of the roles that He must fulfil and His duties as High Priest for all mankind, He recognised the futility of the endless animal sacrifices and He saw that these were not the final solution for men’s sins. He fully understood the purpose of His Father in sending Him to the world and that He would be the ultimate sacrifice made, not by men, but by God. Not only that, but He also had the prophetic words of King David ringing in His ears which is why these words from Psalm 40 are quoted here. It will pay us to read the Psalm through, but if we don’t have time here are verses 6-8; “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

We are being allowed an insight here into the understanding that Jesus possessed about the Law and the offerings. He had the Law written in His heart and recognized its demands and its standards. He fully understood His purpose and His calling and humbly submitted Himself to His Father’s will. More than that, Jesus realized that the body He occupied had been carefully prepared for sacrifice, and that every day He had lived on earth was a preparation for His role as High Priest but also to become the ultimate Lamb of God. 

We may blame the Romans and the Jews for what happened to Christ, but they were only bit-part players in the drama that unfolded at Calvary. This was not a play but the most serious and profound event that has ever happened in the history of the world. Let us thank God today for what He did, for His plans for us, and for the willingness of Yeshua to submit to His Father’s will and perfectly execute what had been written for centuries. His obedience initiated the end of sacrifices and offerings, the removal of the death penalty for sins, and the cleansing of the saints of God, forever! Hallelujah! 

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