June 16, 2025 | Be God's Family
The Limitation of the Law
Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-4(NIV)
1 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. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Devotional
How many times can you be baptized? I don’t know if there is a prescribed number in the Bible; most of us find one is sufficient. However, I do have a friend who said he’d been baptized three times! My irreverent response was “What, the first two didn’t take?”
The writer of Hebrews addressed the issue of sacrifices for sin under the Mosaic Law and had a similar observation. Those sacrifices were only temporary, if they were effective at all. They certainly were not a permanent solution to the question of sin. In Leviticus 4, Moses provided complex and detailed instructions to the people of Israel on the making of a sin offering of bulls, goats and lambs. Leviticus 16:34 states, “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” The passage in Hebrews laments that year after year, the same practices were endlessly repeated. And yet mankind remained dead to sin, because the blood of animals cannot take away sins. Those sacrifices didn’t take.
Jesus broke this endless cycle of empty sacrifice on the cross. It was apparent to John the Baptist; when meeting Jesus he exclaimed: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This was in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12 “For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
We don’t have to make ritual sacrifices devoid of meaning. Jesus’ one incredible and amazing sacrifice was enough, once and for all. We only need to acknowledge, accept and repent.
Have you accepted the sacrifice Jesus’ made for you?
Poem
I Fear Not The Arrows
Psalm 11
For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Psalm 11: 2-3
I fear not the arrows
Sure pointed at me
For my God is my shield, He
My portion will be
For when arrows are set
Held fast to the bow
When enemies’ tighten
Their strings full stretched so
Before their releasing
Before they can fly
My God has already
Filled fully the sky
With fire from the Spirit
His defense for me
Defending my weak soul
And setting me free
From all who’d accuse me
From Law’s punishment
All covered by Christ’s blood
Sin’s abolishment
