A Body Prepared
The Old Testament sacrificial system was a reminder to people about their sin, and way for those who had faith in God to be saved from the eternal consequences of their sin. The sacrifices were offered repeatedly year after year and were done in obedience to God, but they were not God’s ultimate plan. Like a broken dishwasher can conceal the dirty dishes inside, but not clean them - the old system was not able to heal and clean the conscience, take away the sin and empower the faithful to obey God. Jesus cam to offer Himself in obedience to God, and provided the pure and perfect sacrifice that could do everything that the old system was pointing to, but unable to accomplish.
Scripture
Hebrews 10:1-10 ESV For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. [2] Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? [3] But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. [4] For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [5] Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; [6] in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. [7] Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” [8] When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), [9] then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Bible Study Questions
Hebrews 10:1-4 records how the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were faithful to God’s design and instructions, but unable to do what? Why were they not perfect?
The Holy Spirit shows us in the the first few verses of chapter 10 that God does not need or enjoy sacrifices, He’s looking for something deeper behind the sacrifice? What is that? (Isaiah 1:11, Psalms 51:16-17, 1 Samuel 15:22)
Hebrews 10:4-5 quotes Psalm 40 and reveals that a body had been prepared to do what the sacrificial animals couldn’t offer. Who’s body was prepared, and what was His body prepared for?
David wrote in Psalm 40 that the Old Testament held prophecies that Jesus Christ would fulfil. How did Jesus understand His purpose, what did He come to do. (Hebrews 10:7)
Psalm 40 and the reference to it in Hebrews 10 talks about how Jesus offered His body as the perfect sacrifice for our sin. In Ephesians 5, we’re called to imitate God. How are we to imitate God in light of Hebrews 10? (Romans 12:1, Ephesians 5:1-4)
Prayer
Dear Father God thank You that You have finished the work of saving us, not only from the consequences of our sin, but also from the compulsion to commit it. Thank You for Jesus and His perfect sacrifice and for the way He cleans us and equips us serve God. Please forgive our sin and send us out to glorify You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Oh, Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
And 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Service
The miraculous work of the Holy Spirit cleans us of our sin and equips us to do the will of God. The knowledge of God’s love for us is the beginning of our lives of serving Him. To imitate Jesus we need to offer ourselves to serve Him and then serve others in the same way. How can you use the body that God has given you to honour Him and serve others?