“Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me.” (Hebrews 10:5)
God knew that animal sacrifices wouldn’t pay the price of sin. He understood the cost of sin and that no offering, self-denial, or bloodied sacrifice would cover the tab. The price was too steep for any of creation to pay.
His answer? “Prepare a body for Me.”
God’s answer to the cost being too high for us was the decision to come down and do it for us. He used His ability to overcome our weakness… and in so doing, He gave us the definition of love.
“Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship…” (Hebrews 9:1)
It is not in vogue to have regulations for ourselves. We are fond of regulating businesses, imposing environmental regulations, and regulating the behavior of others… but self-regulation is not particularly popular.
It is especially out of step with the culture to regulate worship. Shouldn’t our worship be free and “moved by the Spirit”? Aren’t we supposed to feel deeply and allow our emotions to launch toward God unfiltered and unrestrained?
Turns out that God is quite serious about regulating worship. When Hebrews 9:1 says, “even the first covenant” – implied is the idea that the second covenant, Christianity, would be even more likely to include regulations for worship. After all, our worship is “divine worship” and should match the desires of Him whom we are worshipping. If our worship isn’t regulated in some fashion, it is likely that the worship is more about what we desire to give than it is about what He desires to receive.
Is worship about God or about us? If it is about us, it is likely to be unregulated and displeasing. If it is about God, it should be well-grounded in biblical roots in order to be pleasing to Him who wrote the Bible. After all, Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray (see Luke 11:1). Jesus did not answer by saying, “However you want!” Instead, He taught them how to pray. Divine worship requires divine direction.
It may not be popular, but it is true nonetheless.
“See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:5)
Patterns are for following. Patterns can be traced, emulated, followed, and sometimes, even anticipated. A pattern allows us to recreate something by following the design. Sometimes patterns look like a guide (such as for needlework or drawing). Sometimes, patterns are seen in the lives of those who have gone before us – their examples can be followed and their footsteps retraced.
The Bible works in patterns. We are given the pattern for how to live in our bodies which are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) and the pattern for the church which is the temple of God (Eph 2:21). The Bible provides the blueprints for churches and Christians alike.
“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13)
We must model ourselves after the pattern found in the Scripture because the pattern is clearly expressed by God so that we might behave properly toward Him and our fellow man. When God gives patterns, they are there for a reason.
“For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.” (Hebrews 7:12)
If you change the rules, by definition, you change the law. The Old Testament rules were that high priests could only come from the tribe of Levi and the line of Aaron. Read Matthew chapter one. Jesus is not a Levite and bears no connection to Aaron. So, since Jesus became our High Priest, we know we are under a different law.
That detail is important for us today in two ways:
You are not bound by any of the Old Testament laws. We are New Testament Christians, not Old Testament Jews. This is an important detail that the early Christians spent quite a lot of time confirming. Read Acts 15 and you will see the debate over how you can’t bind even one Old Testament law upon New Testament Christians. Be it Sabbath or circumcision, if it isn’t mentioned in the New Testament, it isn’t required.
If we expect to enjoy the blessings of the New Testament law, the law of liberty, grace, and mercy… then we better not attempt to change the rules. We must take seriously the statutes and commandments of the Scriptures if we expect to enjoy the blessings of forgiveness and salvation that they offer. If it isn’t in the New Testament, we ought to discard it. If it is in the New Testament, we best preserve it.
“But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.” (Hebrews 6:9)
Hebrews is packed with warnings against falling away and returning to old habits of sin and unfaithfulness.
However, the Hebrew writer emphasizes these warnings are not because God believes the worst in us but because He desires and is convinced of better things for us. We should not confuse God’s warnings in the Scripture as a statement that He believes we are hopeless. On the contrary, these warnings are reminders of His love and belief that we can grow and flourish in His kingdom.
His hard words come from a place of love and protection – something we should expect from a Father who loves us.
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12)
Though there is a sense in which only a few possess the talents and skills of teaching (see James 3:1), there is a basic level in which all Christians must accept the responsibility to teach. After all, we cannot be “prepared to give a reason for the hope within us” (1 Pet. 3:15) unless we have gained the necessary skills to reasonably be prepared to share said hope.
Christians are in the people business, and we are in the teaching business. Coercion, violence, or bribery cannot be induced to lead people to Jesus. We are only left with the tools of teaching and persuasion to bring the good news to our friends and neighbors. After all, there is no draft – the ranks of Jesus’ army are filled solely by volunteers.
It is not expected that every Christian know everything, but every Christian should know some things. We must be prepared to answer the basic questions about the tenets of our belief in Jesus. Why should I trust the Bible? What does the Bible teach about how one is saved? Why are we lost without Jesus? What is the church? Why should I care?
Make no mistake, we must be able to articulate what we believe… maybe not at first, but eventually “you ought to be teachers.”
“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13)
Things can be hidden for many reasons.
Camouflage Hidden – when we wish to remain invisible for fear we will be exposed.
Miniature Hidden – when we don’t wish to be hidden, but we are too small to be important to others.
Middle Child Hidden – when we are overlooked because others are prominent or require more attention.
Coward Hidden – when we hide from our responsibilities, evade our duties, and procrastinate in hopes that time and distance will cause them to disappear.
Regardless of which type of “hidden” we are – none are hidden from Him. He sees you. He knows your name. You are visible in your quiet service, closeted pain, or your masked façade.
To Him – we are all laid bare in the noonday sun. You decide whether or not this is a thrill or a terror to your heart.
“But encouraging one another day after day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)
Today is the best day! It is the day you have. Yesterday is a day for historians. Tomorrow is a day for dreamers. Today is the day for doers! It is the day when encouragement and change happen.
When is the best time to encourage others? Today.
When is the best time to say those words that ought not to be left unsaid? Today.
When is the best time to remind each other that we are not alone? Today.
When is the best time to fight the calcifying effects of sin and start with better habits? Today.
Revel in today, for someday, there will be no more today at all.
“And like a mantle you will roll them up, like a garment, they will also be changed. But You are the same, and your years will not come to an end.” (Hebrews 1:12)
After a long day of toil and sweat, it’s time change your clothes. They were good clothes, but they’ve served their purpose, and as the twilight arrives, we seek more comfortable attire. Every day is the same: get up, get dressed, work hard, and then change our garments when the work is done.
This earth is one big garment. Now we work, but won’t it be glorious when it’s time to change?
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