Highlights In Today's Reading:
Jesus seated with highest honor (8:1-2). Jesus Christ, the mediator of a better Covenant, which was established upon better promises (8:6). For this is the Covenant that I will make . . . I will put My Laws in their mind, and write them in their hearts (8:10). The just shall live by faith (10:38).
God required the Israelites to offer sacrifices and offerings for sins of ignorance. However, these sacrifices could not truly restore fellowship between God and man. They were temporary substitutes until the sinless Son of God shed His blood and died on the cross for our sins. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 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 (10:4-6).
The first recorded words of our Savior showed His desire to obey God: Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business? (Luke 2:49). He, from His youth, was completely and continuously devoted to the Father's plan — even though He knew it would end with humiliation, untold suffering, and physical death.
Christ's words — Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God (Heb. 10:9) — revealed His willingness to do everything to carry out the plan of God to redeem sinful mankind. As those who have had our sins washed away by the sacrificial death of our Beloved Savior, we too should be committed to doing all we can to bring precious souls to saving faith in Him. As His fellow workers, we have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (10:36).
Like Jesus, Christians should be devoted to doing His will and living to please our Heavenly Father. Spiritual success is so simple, yet it is hidden from the proud and the self-righteous. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called (I Cor. 1:26). We praise the Lord for the privilege of obeying Him with all our hearts!
Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire. . . . Then said I, Lo, I come . . . I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy Law is within my heart. . . . I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation: I have not concealed Thy lovingkindness and Thy Truth (Ps. 40:6-8).
Thought for Today:
The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (I John 2:17).
Cross References:
For Heb. 8:5: See Ex. 25:40. Heb. 8:8-12: See Jer. 31:31-34. Heb. 9:20-21: See Ex. 24:8. Heb. 10:5-7: See Ps. 40:6-8. Heb. 10:12-13: See Ps. 110:1. Heb. 10:16-17: See Jer. 31:33-34. Heb. 10:30: See Deut. 32:35-36. Heb. 10:37-38: See Hab. 2:3-4.
Word Studies:
8:10 New Covenant =I will . . . write them in their hearts, in contrast to the Old Covenant — written in stone; 9:2 candlestick =lampstand; 10:33 gazingstock =object of public ridicule; 10:36 patience =steadfast endurance, trust; 10:39 perdition =state of being eternally lost.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts for the week sponsored by Howard Manley • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham • Country: Norway (4.45 million) in northern Europe • Major language: Norwegian • Religious freedom • 87.8% Evangelical Lutheran; 3.8% Other Protestant and Catholic; 3.2% None; 5.2% Other (Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witness) • Prayer Suggestion: Prayer with an upright spirit and heart is a delight to God (Prov. 15:8).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 18:35