Hebrews 10:15-18

Summary retelling of Hebrews 10:15-18

We are reminded again of how the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Jeremiah when He said that there would be a day when God would give a New Covenant when God will put the Law on our hearts and in our minds.  Then the Holy Spirit adds that in those days He will remember our sin and our lawless behavior no longer.  When God has made forgiveness of these things, then there is no longer any need for further sacrifices.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This is the second time that the author of Hebrews has given us this quote (See Hebrews 8:10 for the earlier example).  The Law will be put in our minds and on our hearts.  There is a temptation to interpret this passage as Christians teaching each other – in other words, discipleship.  But this isn’t really what this is talking about at all.  This passage isn’t about discipleship.  This passage is about the Holy Spirit coming and dwelling within us.  God will literally be in our hearts and our minds.

Do you realize that God can dwell within you?  What does it feel like to know that the same God who created the world wants to be an intimate part of your life?

Second Thought:

We are then told that in those days – when God’s Word literally dwells within us – that He will no longer remember our sins.  When God dwells within us, He will cast our sin away from us.  When God dwells within us, He will have dealt with our sinful nature forever.  Of course, this makes sense.  Jesus died on the cross prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit.  He has dealt with our sinful and lawless nature.  We have been redeemed.

What does forgiveness feel like?  What does grace feel like?  How do we respond to such a gift from God?

Third Thought:

Since our sinful nature has been dealt with, there is no need for further sacrifice.  There is no way to the Father but through Christ.  We cannot add anything by our own works to what God has already done with respect to our salvation.  Since God has done it all, there is no need for sacrificing to continue.  In fact, to continue the sacrificial system would be an insult to God – as though we don’t believe that His Son’s sacrifice was really completely effective.

Have you ever wondered why the sacrificing didn’t continue after Jesus?  Have you thought that we don’t continue the sacrifices because we don’t follow the Law of the Old Testament?  How does this passage help you realize that the sacrifices stopped not because the Law was changed but because the Law was fulfilled?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 10:19-22