November 9, 2024 - Hebrews 10

“For the law possesses a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself, and is therefore completely unable, by the same sacrifices offered continually, year after year, to perfect those who come to worship” (10:1).  Several years ago, Donna had an international friend who was concerned about something she had done.  She went to her religious leader who told her, as a necessary show of her sorrow, she must right the name of a particular god on a whiteboard ten thousand times.  The drudgery of completing such a task, supposedly, would demonstrate her sincerity and, thus, convince the god to forgive her.  We all have our own worthless ways in which we try to placate God or to get a blessing from him.  We have a different hope, though.  Consider these statements from the writer.  “We have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (10:11) & “Every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again– sacrifices that can never take away sins. . . .  but by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy” (10:14,16).  That’s a hope!  That’s good news!  Remember Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question?  “Lord, to whom would we go?  You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Nearer, still nearer— close to Thy heart,

draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;

fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast;

shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest,

shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest.

Nearer, still nearer— nothing I bring,

naught as an off’ring to Jesus, my King–

only my sinful, now contrite heart;

grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,

grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.   --Mrs. C. H. Morris (1890)