The Law Proves The Need For A New System

Hebrews 9:27-10:10

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27)

As humans, we tend to try to avoid the thought of death. We don’t like to be reminded that we will die one day. As a result, there are people who never go to funerals. Others love to have a story told about the wonderful experiences the person feels after death. Some accept re-incarnation, or a spirit world where the person remains here on the earth to help those left behind. The fear of death is nearly universal, as is a belief in some kind of after life. Because it is unpleasant, most people prefer to procrastinate about planning for it.

As the previous verses tell us, we have an appointment to die, and we cannot avoid it. Following death, there is a judgment, where everyone of us must give an account of ourselves. According to Romans 1:20, there will be no excuses at that judgment. Matthew 25:31-46 describes that judgment. The things described seem minor in our world, yet they are described as the difference as to what individual judgment will be. Matthew 25:46 describes the difference in the penalties. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

We all are sinners, as we see in Romans 3:23. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” As a result we need a way of taking care of the sin. Hebrews 7:19 was very clear that the Old testament law didn’t accomplish this. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” That better hope that perfected us was Christ. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28) The proof that another covenant, and better sacrifices were needed lies in the law itself.

The Law required that an atonement for sin be made every year, even after daily sacrifices were offered. If the daily sacrifices had been sufficient there would have been no need for continuing the regimen. It is like a cure for a disease. If the medication must be taken continually to prevent reoccurrence, the disease is not cured, merely controlled. The Law did not cure sin.

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:1-4)

The Law, as a shadow of the real thing, demonstrated the need for a sacrifice for sin. By its constant requiring additional sacrifices, it also showed that it could never finish the job. The sacrifices of animals were incapable of removing sin. It is like a person who’s cancer is in remission going back every few months to be sure it hasn’t started to grow again. The cancer is not gone, it’s just not active at the moment. As long as it remains, it is still a threat. The single best proof that the Law is not a satisfactory alternative is the requirement for repetitive sacrifices. In fact, those sacrifices are not even pleasing to God.

“Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10:5-7)

Proverbs 15:8 tells us, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” He would rather have repentance and humility than all the sacrifices. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

By recognizing that God was not pleased with the sacrifices, Giving himself as the ultimate sacrifice, Christ has placed the new testament in effect, superseding the old one. That constant need to offer sacrifices, always under the threat of sin and death was a curse. Christ freed us from it. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: “ (Galatians 3:13).

“Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:8-18)