Thursday 26 October 2023

Background

Today the writer to the Hebrews continues the theme that Christ’s actions have perfected the relationship between humankind and God in a way the Jewish law, ritual and sacrificial practices could never do. Indeed the evidence should be clear to all, as religious sacrifices had to be repeated time and time again, suggesting that one act did not remove the sin of the people once and for all. 

The author then provides further evidence from the psalms, quoting Psalm 40:6-7 as if said by Jesus. There is though a difference in the second line, with the writer replacing “but you have given me an open ear” (Psalm 40:6) with “but a body you have prepared for me” (v. 5). This difference is because the writer was probably quoting from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, rather than the original Hebrew, which suggests that the writer to the Hebrews didn’t actually know Hebrew. However, despite the different translations the meaning is largely the same, with “an open ear” meaning being obedient and “a body you have prepared for me” meaning with my body I should do your will. The key point in both translations is the importance of obedience.

Many of the Old Testament prophets made the point that repeated sacrifices were meaningless if obedience to God’s will did not accompany them. For example the prophet Amos said: “Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings I will not accept them”, and added “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:22a, 24). Another prophet Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Surely to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

The prophets and many others expected the people to do much more than just take part in religious ritual. What they did in acts of worship needed to be followed up in the way they lived their lives and interacted with others.  

And so the writer to the Hebrews concludes that all of this traditional ritual activity is no longer needed or necessary, and the need for repeated acts is redundant, because “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (v. 10) Once is enough for everyone, because of Christ’s perfect action.

To Ponder:

• Consider how the worship activity you may take part in is reflected in the way you live your life. Does one lead to the other?
• Are there times when you find it hard to be obedient to the will of God? What do you do when you are aware of this and how could you respond?

Prayer

God of light, thank you that knowing you is more than a shadow of the good things to come, but instead is a new reality of your kingdom come. Amen.