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?
