Alright guys, I wanted to create a place where we can continue discussion and talk back and forth in hopes to answer and further excite this group on the Word. This is a place where we can bring up questions that we forgot or didn't feel lead to bring up in the group on Sunday's and here we can say it how ever we want.
So let's start this off with last Sunday's topic of priesthood and sacrifices and all that good stuff.
If you guys haven't read Leviticus 16 (day of atonement) and Hebrews chapter 10 (Christs sacrifice once and for all) then go ahead and do that.
So what's up? What are you guys thinking about?
Let's get this discussion going.
After reading these two chapters and referring back to your notes...What connections are we making? What things are stirring up in us on this topic?
So let's start this off with last Sunday's topic of priesthood and sacrifices and all that good stuff.
If you guys haven't read Leviticus 16 (day of atonement) and Hebrews chapter 10 (Christs sacrifice once and for all) then go ahead and do that.
So what's up? What are you guys thinking about?
Let's get this discussion going.
After reading these two chapters and referring back to your notes...What connections are we making? What things are stirring up in us on this topic?
In Hebrews 10:1-4 the statement is made about sacrifices that are continually offered every year. This is talking about the sacrifices for atonement. Here it clearly states that it can "NEVER... make perfect those who draw near." Because the "blood of bulls and goats" can never TAKE AWAY sins.
ReplyDeleteIt is sweet to make the connection here...that sin is in the world, and there is a need for something more...there is a need for a Savior.
In Hebrews 10, God clarifies his motives for the law and the atonement for sins. Leviticus 16 shows God as a strict parent-figure laying down the rules and making clear the consequences for mistakes. Leviticus was full of rules that were simply "good enough" for people to "just get by" in their lives. Though some Israelites strove for a closer connection to God on a daily basis (Such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, David, Solomon...etc.), most whined and complained and bickered and mumbled against God every other day. They were a fickle people. They needed rules to live by and a way to God that would work for them. However, times changed. The day predicted was realized. Christ was born. God then implemented the next stage in His plan of grace and mercy and love for the Jews. But, seeing as they rejected Jesus, He reached out for the Gentiles as well. He no longer favored one people as His Chosen One's, we are all now His Chosen People. Of course, the Jews still didn't get these new teachings. They were grounded on tradition, literalism, and adding their own laws to God's commandments. So, to those who were confused about the significance of Jesus and the Jews' traditions, God wrote Hebrews 10. Hebrews 10:1 makes it startlingly clear of God's motives for the old laws and sending Jesus: "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship." It appears that God tired of or never liked the old system built for wishy-washy Isrealites. A new, better plan with an emphasis on the old traditions fulfilled with Jesus Christ completes His plan for salvation. Now, we can enter His presence and talk to Him personally. God's desire to be with man has been brought to an all-new level. And all we need to do is accept the Good News and embrace the truth. How awesome is that!
ReplyDeleteDude Chris,
ReplyDeleteYou just LAYED IT DOWN! That's the good news bro. Keeping in mind that God has had a plan all along and everything is going according to His plan, seeing Jesus' ministry to ALL people and the salvation through Christ being open for all (jew and gentile alike), we see in passages like Hebrews 10 how deep of an ordeal this is. This Jesus has all these simple loving and awesome attributes for us to read and follow and understand as well as attributes that are historically mind blowing.
And yes it is awesome!