Here is the fundamental weakness of the Old Covenant: ...if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering (Leviticus 4:3). The Levite priest must offer repeated sacrifices for his own sin, and then for the people. He was a guilty transgressor himself, and therefore, unable to atone by his own blood (Heb. 5:1-4). Not only so, but the sacrifices he offered never had the ability to truly atone for anyones sin, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb. 10:4). But Jesus Christ became our perfect High Priest (Heb. 5:5-10), offering not animals, but Himself... 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. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 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 (Heb. 20:2-7).’” This being the case, the author of Hebrews exhorts us with these words: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~~Hebrews 4:14-16
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 10:33:04 +0000
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