A Shadow

Hebrews 10-Part 1
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves.
Hebrews 10:1

LET IT GLOW

I recall one evening when I was staying by myself for a few hours while my parents were gone. (I was a preteen.) I had never been afraid to do that, living out in the country, until this one specific time. As I was in the living room watching television, a shadow appeared in front of the picture window. Now that shadow scared me. I quickly locked all of the doors and crouched down in the corner. As it turned out, it was my collie dog. He started making a whining noise, so I knew it was him. What a relief! For the rest of the eveningt I felt safe with him guarding the front door.

The first verse of this chapter says the law is a shadow of the good things that are coming. 
The sacrificial system, the Mosaic system, was planned and ordained of God; it was only a temporary, yet imperfect; it was a picture and prophecy of Christ's complete, and eternal sacrifice. It was a once-for-all sacrifice that He made.

A shadow refers to a pale reflectioon, as contrasted with a sharp, distinct one. The very image indicates an exact and distinct replica. (MacArthur)

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is superior to the Old Covenant sacrifices:
1. Christ's sacrifice takes away sin. (verses 1-10)
    The sacrificial system was a atype or picture of the work our Lord would accomplish on the cross.
    Animal sacrifices could never completely deal with human guilt. Even though their sins were
    covered with the blood of animals, it did not cleanse the heart of guilt, as Jesus' blood, which
    forgives and removes sin.
2. Christ's sacrifice need not be repeated. (verses 11-18)
    The Old Covenant high priest daily offered sacrifices and offerings. Our Great  High Priest, Jesus
    Christ, sat down after He ascended to the Father as proof that His work is completed (1:3, 13; 8:1).
    In the tabernacle, the ministry of the priests was never done. Believers are complete in Christ
    (Col.2:10). Our sins are all forgiven, the guilt is gone, and the matter is completely settled forever.
    This takes place when was accept Jesus as our Savior.

LET IT GROW

3. Christ's sacrifice opens the way to God (verses 19-39).
    Once we have this cleansing, we have an open invitation to enter the presence of God. This new
    way into God's presence is new according to 8:13. It is living because Christ ever liveth to make
    intercession for us (7:25). What a privilege!
    Our invitation is to:
     (1) draw near to God with a pure heart and a clean conscience (1John 1:5-2; verse 22).
     (2) hold fast with our hope in Christ (9:28).
     (3) consider one another in fellowship, assembling, gathering (10:24-25).
[Resource: Be Confident by Warren Wiersbe]


LET IT GO

Trust Jesus, let go of the world.

Accept His invitation  to draw near to God.