The Law and the Sacrifices in Perspective

Text: Hebrews 10:1-10

Reflection and Question: When the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans, the Jews in the era after Jesus’ death had to reimagine their faith separate from the rituals centered upon sacrifice and purity. The writer of Hebrews offers one alternative: to understand Jesus as both high priest and as the once-for-all sacrifice by which we are sanctified, our sins taken away. The proof text of Psalm 40:6-8 is put into Jesus’ mouth and adapted to support the writer’s shift from offerings “according to the” law to faith in Christ. What is God’s will with regard to sacrifice?

Prayer: You suffered and died. We know that. And we know our sin, which no human offering can cleanse or take away. We say with believers through the ages, “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.” Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).