Slaughtered lambs and leaky radiators - 27 September 2009 |
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Hebrews 10 raises some tricky questions about the Old Testament sacrificial system. On the one hand, it was obviously vital for OT believers to perform the sacrifices. Hebrews 10:8 reminds us that they were required by the Law.
On the other hand, the Lord has ‘neither desired nor taken pleasure in’ them (v. 8). They must be offered over and over again (v. 1), yet ‘can never take away sins’ (v. 11); rather, they’re ‘a reminder of sins’ (v. 3).
So what, exactly, was the point of the OT sacrifices?
Here’s one way of putting all this together. Though not able in themselves to take away sins, the OT sacrifices were a temporary solution. They were provided as a means by which God’s people could gain the benefit of, and place their faith in, Christ’s perfect sacrifice, which would one day deal with sin once and for all.
Think of it like this.
You’re driving along on a hot day, when suddenly you notice a suspicious vapour coming from the engine. You stop and open the bonnet, and are greeted with a great cloud of steam. The radiator has sprung a leak. Ouch. Miles from home, with a car that won’t drive more than a mile or two without overheating. What are you going to do?
Taking out your mobile phone, you call your local garage. ‘Don’t worry,’ the mechanic says. ‘Just wait for the engine to cool, then fill the radiator with water, and drive on a few miles. When the temperature rises too high, stop the engine, wait for it to cool, fill it with water again, drive a few miles more. When it gets hot, stop again, refill it, and so on. You’ll get here eventually.’
This is like the OT sacrifices in several ways.
1.It’s not a permanent solution to the problem. Repeatedly refilling the radiator hardly addresses the heart of the issue. The very fact that you have to keep repeatedly doing it proves its ineffectiveness.
2. Indeed, it’s a reminder of the problem. Every time you stop the car, a big hissing cloud of steam reminds you of the leak.
3. It is, however, a temporary solution to the problem. Follow the instructions and you’ll get to the garage eventually; neglect them at your peril.
4. Moreover, to apply the temporary solution is an expression of faith in the permanent future solution. Following the mechanic’s advice, and experiencing its effectiveness and wisdom, will remind you that he knows what he’s doing. Indeed, it’s an expression of faith in his expertise, and his ability to fix the problem once and for all.
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog