“The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.” Hebrews 10:1-2 NLT
The author of Hebrews writes about the mystery of the Old Testament Law and its inability to fulfill our salvation or fix our standing with God. Yet, the Law did have a purpose. To show us, “to remind us of our sins.” This whole understanding of the Law teaching us, giving us a perspective of perfection and our intent to rid ourselves of our rebellious ways is most difficult to understand as a Gentile, a non-Jew.
Yet, even though the weight of the law escapes most of us, Hebrews tells us its value and purpose. It was a preview of the good things to come. What were those good things? They were the perfect sacrifice and freedoms that Jesus brought all of us with his death and resurrection! If observing and keeping every aspect of the law, had worked, Hebrews says, the sacrifices would have ceased. For all those who love the law and struggled to perfectly keep it, this was hard to understand and incorporate this fulfillment, this perfection through Jesus.
Hebrews highlights it twice – “IF” keeping the law could have pulled it off – worshippers would have been permanently purified! And “IF” it had worked their guilt would have disappeared. We don’t sacrifice, as an identification with an innocent animal, which gave its life, its blood for a payment for sin. We don’t kill an animal to rid ourselves of guilt either. Because of Jesus, we do get to live free under the, “once and for all” of His perfect sacrifice. This was God himself, providing the permanent forgiveness and release from guilt.
Even though, Gentiles (non-Jews) may not fully comprehend the legal aspects of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament Law, we can completely understand what forgiveness and freedom feels like today – every day. We know what our own sin, our selfishness does to our hearts. We know the weight of guilt we feel for trying to live with horrible decisions we’ve made that hurt ourselves and others.
Folks still do struggle with these truths!
How can a perfect God really forgive me?
How can the death and resurrection of Jesus really give me freedom from things I’ve done and give me another chance to live without guilt?
It can because it was God’s plan of mercy and grace all along. It can because God himself bore the cost and responsibility to make the payment of death for our sin! Even if it seems impossible, it is very true and very real. The much bigger question is this; why would anyone reject that offer? I guess they don’t believe it’s true, or they stubbornly believe there are no consequences, now or in eternity, for their sins. Of course, the most common belief is that somehow our good deeds balance out or wipe away our bad deeds! No one knows how that all works or who is the final judge making that decision. And, this is offered, “I am a good person,” or “I’m not as bad as the next person.” Basically, we lie to ourselves and pretend it will all work out for us, so that we avoid the truth as long as possible.
Prayer
Dad,
I understand what Hebrews is talking about when it comes to the law, but because I had no context or discipline from childhood and beyond about the Old Testament law, it doesn’t have the same affect on me. However, I completely understand your holiness, my own sin and failings of perfection. And, I have learned how beautifully critical it is to understand Jesus death, giving his life for my sin. I am so very thankful for forgiveness and freedom that have been granted me!