13: The Better Sacrifice (1) (-28)
The Basics
Setting
In our last study we have looked at
the tabernacle and divine services under the old covenant. These ordinances
were not able to lead us into God’s presence because they could not remove sin.
But Christ has come, and has entered the true tabernacle with His own blood.
This becomes the source of our eternal redemption. The passage of this lesson
will explain in detail why the death of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of what
the old covenant foreshadowed.
Key Verse
“…how much more shall the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God,
cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” ().
Did You Know…?
1. Ashes
of a heifer… (): The regulations
on cleansing with the ashes of a a
heifer are recorded in Numbers 19.
Observation
Outline
(9:13-15)
(9:16-22)
(9:23-28)
Key Words/Phrases
Segment Analysis
9:13-15
1. What
contrast is made between the blood of Christ and the blood of animals?
2. Based on verse 14, explain what kind of life Christians
should live.
3. What
was the price of redemption for our transgressions (15)?
4. “For
this reason” (15) indicates that the reason is to be found in the previous
verses. What qualifies Jesus to be the Mediator of the new covenant? How does
His mediation fulfill the terms of the new covenant (cf. -12)?
5. What
blessing awaits those who have been redeemed (15)?
9:16-22
6. How
are verses 16 and 17 an explanation of verse 15?
7. What
reason does the author give for why Christ’s blood is essential to the new
covenant?
9:23-28
8. Based
on verse 24, what has Christ accomplished which the old covenant was not able
to do (cf. 9:8)?
9. What
contrasts are made between the offering of the high priest and the offering of
Christ in verses 25 and 26?
10. The
author establishes a connection between verses 27 and 28. What is the
relationship of these two verses?
11. To
whom will Christ appear a second time? What kind of life should you live to be
one of them?
14: The Better Sacrifice (2) (Heb 10:1-18)
The Basics
Setting
By now, we have reached the climax
in the doctrinal section of Hebrews. The author has taught that Jesus has
entered the true, heavenly tabernacle to minister before God. He has also shown
how Christ has a more excellent priestly ministry by means of His death. The
personal sacrifice of Christ has decisively removed the problem of sin once for
all. The passage of this lesson will continue to focus on the offering of Jesus
Christ and show why it has finally replaced the sacrificial system under the
Old Testament.
Key Verse
“For by one
offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” ().
Did You Know…?
1. “A
body You have prepared for Me” (10:5): “The author
takes the quotation from the LXX (Septuagint—A Greek version of the Hebrew
Scriptures). But the original psalm in Hebrews reads, “My ears You have opened” (Ps 40:6). The reason for this discrepancy
is probably that the translators of the LXX was giving
a free interpretive translation. As Morris points out, ‘They may wish to
express the view that the body is the instrument through which the divine
command, received by the ear, is carried out’”3/98
Observation
Outline
(10:1-4)
(10:5-10)
(10:11-14)
(10:15-18)
Key Words/Phrases
General Analysis
1. What
is the author’s main point in this passage?
Segment Analysis
10:1-4
1. Identify
the main subject and verb of verse 1.
2. The
sacrifices under the law were offered continually year after year. How does
this fact point out the inherent weakness of the sacrifices?
3. If
the sacrifices could not make the worshippers perfect, then why did God still
command them in the law? What is the role of the law in relation to Christ?
10:5-10
4. Who
is the “He” in verse 5?
5. What
practical lesson can we learn from the passage in Psalms?
6. How
does the author apply the passage specifically to Christ?
7. “I
have come…to do Your will, O God.” What is the will of
God in the context of this paragraph?
8. What
is the function of the parenthetical statement in 8b? (“which
are offered according to the law”)?
9. Who
is verse 9b talking about, and what does it mean? (“He takes away the first
that He may establish the second”).
10:11-14
10. What
contrasts are made between the priests and Christ? Explain the significance of
these contrasts.
11a. Explain the meaning of verse 13.
11b. What does the word “waiting” imply?
12. Look
at the tenses in verse 14. What has God done? What is He still doing?
10:15-18
13. Who
is speaking in 15-17? Who is being spoken to?
14. Why
do you think the author introduces the Holy Spirit here? What is the function
of the Holy Spirit in this case? (cf. Rom ;
1Jn 5:6; 2Pet )
15. What
is the meaning of having God’s laws written in our hearts? How are God’s laws
in your heart and on your mind?
16. How
do verses 16 and 17 explain the words “perfected forever” in 14?
17. How does verse 18 sum up the entire passage?
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