Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Hebrews 8-10
The Old Testament law had impressive ceremonies supported by centuries of tradition. It preserved an awareness of divine holiness and revealed the need for atonement. Nevertheless, the repetition of offerings and sacrifices on the annual Day of Atonement never brought the worshipers into a permanent relationship with God. Some may ask why? Old Testament sacrifices reminded of sin but did not remove it.
Hebrews emphasizes that the Law was only a shadow of God’s good blessings and not the reality. A shadow can never reveal its object, but it can provide an outline of reality. Whenever the reality comes, the shadow is irrelevant. Because the Law was only a faint outline of the glories of the coming gospel, it was a temporary element in God’s plan.
Verse three highlights the imperfection of the Law by asking a question, If the Law made the worshipers perfect, then wouldn’t offerings cease because the worshipers would no longer have felt guilty for their sins? If the offerings had reached their goals, they would have stopped. These sacrifices dealt only with infractions committed since the last offerings. Their repetition showed their inadequacy.
Every offering announced the inadequacy of the previous offerings. It reminded the worshipers to get ready for the next annual offering. Only the sacrifice of Christ could abolish the consequences of sin permanently. When Christ came to die for sin, believers were blessed by an experience with a God who no longer remembered their sins (Heb. 8:12).
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to remember the amazing grace of God who forgives my sin.
- Lord, please help me to show my gratitude by living holy and acceptable before you.
- Lord, please help me to demonstrate respect for the incredible price that was paid for my sin.
Political
- Representative Thomas Albert – District 86 – Lowell
- Senator Betty Alexander – District 5 – Detroit
- Representative Julie Alexander – District 64 – Hanover