For Our Instruction and Comofort

Though not required to offer literal sacrifices in the manner stipulated by the Law, we are still very much in need of what the sacrifices did to a degree for the Israelites, namely to have our sins forgiven and to enjoy God's favor.  Since we no longer offer literal sacrifices, how can we receive such benefits?   After pointing out the limitations of the animal sacrifices, Paul declares:  "When [Jesus] comes into the world he says: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not want, but you prepared  a body for me.  You did not approve of whole burnt offerings and sin offering .'  Then I said, 'Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me)  to do your will, O God.' " -Hebrews 10:5-7. 

Quoting from Psalm 40:6-8, Paul points out that Jesus did not come to perpetuate the "sacrifice and offering,"  the "whole burnt offerings and sin offering," all of which by the time of Paul's writing no longer had God's approval.  Rather, Jesus came with a body prepared by his heavenly Father, one that corresponded in every aspect to the one God prepared when he created Adam.  (Genesis  2:7; Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45)  As the perfect Son of God, Jesus had the role of the "seed" of the woman, as foretold at Genesis 3:15. He would take steps to 'bruise Satan in the head,' though Jesus himself would  be bruised in the head,' though Jesus himself would be 'bruised in the heel.'  In this way, Jesus became the means provided by Jehovah for mankind's salvation, to which men of faith had been looking since the days of Abel.

Speaking about the special role that Jesus played, Paul says:P  "The one who did not know sin [God] made to be  sin for us, that we might  become righteousness by means of him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) The expression "made to be sin" can also be translated 'made as a sin offering.'  The apostle John says:   "He is a  propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the world's."  (1 John 2:2)  Hence, while the Israelites had a temporary means of approach to God by their sacrifices, Christians have  a superior basis for coming to God-the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  (1 John 14:6; 1 Peter 3:18)  If we exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice provided by God and obey Him, we too can have our sins forgiven and enjoy God's favor and blessing.  (1 John 3:17, 18)  Is that not a source of comfort?  How,  though, can we demonstrate that we have faith in the ransom sacrifice?

After explaining that Christians have a superior basis for approach to God, the apostle Paul outlines, as we read at Hebrews 10:22-25, three ways in which we can demonstrate  our faith and  appreciation  for God's loving provision. Even though Paul's admonition was directed chiefly to those who have "the way of entry into the holy place"-that is, anointed Christians with a heavenly calling-surely all humanity need to pay attention to Paul's inspired words if they want to benefit from Jehovah's propitiatory sacrifice. -Hebrews 10:19.

Next time: Offer Sacrifices Clean and Undefiled

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000