The writer of Hebrews develops the image of Christ as the great high Priest who fulfills and completes the Jewish system of sacrifice for much of the epistle preceding this scripture. This raises the whole topic of sacrifices which we will discuss below:
Hebrews 10:11-14 Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. All Scriptures are from The Message Version
• What does the writer of Hebrews tell us about the Jewish practice of sacrifice (which was only carried out at the temple in Jerusalem)? How is Jesus’ sacrifice different? How is Jesus different from the Priests? What is your understanding of Jewish sacrificial practices, see below for some ideas:
Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of qorbanot (sacrifice) is not simply to obtain forgiveness from sin. Although many qorbanot have the effect of expiating sins, there are many other purposes for bringing qorbanot, and the expiatory effect is often incidental, and is subject to significant limitations. The purposes of qorbanot are much the same as the purposes of prayer: we bring qorbanot to praise G-d, to become closer to Him, to express thanks to G-d, love or gratitude. We bring qorbanot to celebrate holidays and festivals. Others are used to cleanse a person of ritual impurity (which does not necessarily have anything to do with sin). And yes, many qorbanot, like many prayers, are brought for purposes of atonement.
The atoning aspect of qorbanot is carefully circumscribed. For the most part, qorbanot only expiate unintentional sins, that is, sins committed because a person forgot that this thing was a sin. No atonement is needed for violations committed under duress or through lack of knowledge, and for the most part, qorbanot cannot atone for a malicious, deliberate sin. In addition, qorbanot have no expiating effect unless the person making the offering sincerely repents his or her actions before making the offering, and makes restitution to any person who was harmed by the violation.
From: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/qorbanot.html
According to the Talmud, repentance was among the first things God created; even before God created the physical universe. When the Temple in Jerusalem was active, a Jew was required to bring various sacrifices for certain types of sins. Although sacrifices were required, the most essential part was teshuva, the person bringing the sacrifice would confess his sins. Presently, with the Temple destroyed, atonement may nevertheless be granted by doing teshuva. From Wikipedia
• Who do you think that the writer is thinking of when he refers to the enemies Jesus is waiting for to “cave in”? Do you think that Jesus is waiting on anything from each of us? What does it take for someone/something to be Jesus’ enemy? Could this be linked to the second coming?
• What is your reaction to the idea that a human sacrifice was needed for us to be acceptable to God? Is this requirement part of your image of who God is?
The writer of Hebrews continues with words taken from the prophet Jeremiah (31:33-34)
14-18 The Holy Spirit confirms this: This new plan I’m making with Israel isn’t going to be written on paper, isn’t going to be chiseled in stone; This time “I’m writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts.” He concludes, I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins. Once sins are taken care of for good, there’s no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.
• The writer is connecting this paraphrase of Jeremiah to the fact that Jesus’ sacrifice made us acceptable to God. What does Jesus’ sacrifice make possible for us? How would we be different if God’s law (will) were part of our hearts and minds? Do you relate to this promise in any way?
• Why is no further sacrifice required? However we all fall short, what is required of us to continue in this right relationship with God? What do you do when you fall short, are there a variety of steps depending on the nature of forgiveness required?
The imagery in this next scripture refers to the curtain which separated the Holy of Holies (God’s residence) in the temple which was a place only the high priests could enter.
Hebrews 10:19-21 So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. 22-25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
• What should be our mindset as we seek the presence of God? What are the benefits of having confidence in our relationship with God? Is this an element of your faith? Can we be overconfident? How does confidence play a role in this transition time?
• How are we different because of having our “great priest” according to verse 22? How important is this idea in order for our faith to have meaning? Do you have any sense of your body being a holy place? How can this awareness help us as we live our daily lives?
• What is God faithful about and what evidence do you have that this is true? Have there been times when this has been seemingly in question?
• How should we approach encouraging love and helping out? What have you see work in this faith community? How important has it been and will it be in this transition period?
Closing Litany (From Psalm 16)
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.’
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Amen
Next Week’s Scriptures: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 or Daniel 12:1-3, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 or Psalm 16, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18), 19-25, Mark 13:1-8
0 comments:
Post a Comment