The Gospel Fulfills The Law

Leviticus 4:1–12
Let’s not fall into the trap of reading the Bible with the intent of discovering a judgmental “Old Testament God” and the grace of the “New Testament God.” God does not change. Since the fall of humankind, He has been at work restoring the relationship between himself and the people He created and loves.
God had a solution for sin planned that would bring people into a personal relationship with himself.
God reminded His people of sin’s power to separate them from Him. Even while trying to obey the Lord, the Israelites could never forget the very great distance that their sins put between themselves and God.

As God’s chosen people, the Israelites received His instructions for righteous living through Moses. Part of this teaching concerned sacrifices for sin. The high priest and the other priests carried out God’s rules for these ceremonies that would atone for the people’s sins.
No one in Israel, no matter how religious, could keep from sinning. The priests, whose entire lives were given over to the Lord’s service, still sinned. Since the priests had the awesome responsibility of performing the ceremonies that God put in place to restore people’s relationship with Him, they needed to be sure they themselves were in right relationship with God.

The apostle Paul would later write that the Old Testament Law was intended to make people aware of their sin (Romans 3:20).
This was not the Law’s only lesson. If the priests of God had to perform atoning sacrifices for their own sins, then it was clear that no human effort can create a right relationship between God and His people. Any human relationship with God has to begin with God himself.

Leviticus 16:29–34
Ask: “Does sin affect us only individually? Explain.” Our sinful choices have the greatest effect on our own lives, but a fuller understanding of sin shows its power over all humankind. The Israelites were to have a special Sabbath—a special day of rest for fasting and sorrow for their sins. The call for a special Sabbath reminds us that God wants us to be at peace with Him.
Another part of the Day of Atonement was a public acknowledgment of sin (see verse 21). Ask: “Is there a place for public confession of sin today?

As believers, we must rest in Him, assured of Christ’s work on our behalf. On the other hand, we must maintain personal discipline and keep sinful impulses in check.We also need to regularly consider our spiritual condition and seek God’s forgiveness for sins. Before celebrating the Lord’s Supper is an excellent time to examine ourselves, yet we need not wait for such times. We can daily come to the Lord and ask Him to search our hearts for anything that displeases Him.

Hebrews 9:11–15
“Have you ever wondered if reading Leviticus was a waste of time? If you have, read in Hebrews about Christ’s atoning death. Allow what He suffered to awaken in you an appreciation for the sacrifices of atonement commanded in Leviticus. Under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, the writer of Hebrews used the sacrifices called for in Leviticus and other books of the Law to describe what Jesus Christ has done for all humankind. Jesus, our High Priest, completely fulfilled for all people the forgiveness that the Old Testament ceremonies pointed to.

Jesus’ atoning sacrifice guaranteed free entry into God’s presence. Freedom to enter the earthly tabernacle was given only to the priests in general, and to the high priest in particular, who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies once a year. Jesus entered directly into God’s heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 9:11).
Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was accomplished forever by His own blood (verse 12). Animal sacrifices, though commanded by God in the Old Testament, could never remove sin. They were only a picture of the complete forgiveness Jesus would provide for all people. Unlike the outward, ceremonial cleansing done through animal sacrifices (verse 13), Jesus’ atonement brings inner change (verse 14).

Hebrews 9:15 summarizes the outcome of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice in terms of its eternal effectiveness. Jesus Christ is the one who established a new covenant between God and His people. Jesus’ sacrifice guarantees an eternal reward for all people who will live for God through faith in His atonement.

Hebrews 9:23–28
Jesus is the central Person in the history of salvation. The writer of Hebrews used the Old Testament sacrificial system to picture what Jesus did and to help us understand the power of Jesus’ sacrifice.
The tabernacle had been a copy of the heavenly place of God and had needed to be purified by animal sacrifices. The “heavenly things themselves” (Hebrews 9:23, KJV) were cleansed by Christ’s sacrifice. The earthly tabernacle was made holy by God’s presence. However, because men met Him there, it had to be cleansed. Even so, because Christians now “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6, KJV), our approach to God demands that the heavenly sanctuary be purified. While the high priest had to offer sacrifices year after year, Christ’s sacrifice was once for all time (Hebrews 9:24–26.)
As wonderful as the salvation experience in this life is, it is only the beginning of what God has planned for those who serve Him.
This promise in verse 28 follows a serious reminder in verse 27: Everyone will die; everyone will face God’s judgment. The only way to be prepared for entry into eternity is to accept the atonement God has provided in Christ. The decision to accept salvation through Christ must be followed by a lifetime commitment to serve God with the power Christ provides to resist sin and live a holy life.

Hebrews 10:19–22
In the tabernacle, and later the temple in Jerusalem, a reference is made to the most holy place, also referred to as the Holy of Holies. This inner room held the ark of the covenant, the ceremonial box built to contain the tablets of God’s commandments as well as a measure of manna and the rod of Aaron that blossomed. This inner holy room could be entered by the high priest only once a year, and then only after sacrifices for atonement of his sins were made for him. God established this place to teach the Israelites about His holiness.
The writer of Hebrews used this image from the Old Testament to help us understand an amazing truth: Anyone who accepts Christ’s atonement for sin can come directly into God’s presence at any time (Hebrews 10:19). We are encouraged to boldly approach our Heavenly Father.
Ask: “How can Christians come boldly into God’s presence?”
In place of repeated offerings of the blood of animals, we approach God through “a new and living way” (verse 20, KJV). The veil or curtain that once separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tabernacle is replaced by Jesus’ own body, the “living way” that has become the open door to God (verse 20).
The ministry of the Old Testament priests provided limited access to God. Their ministry has been replaced with the unlimited ministry of Jesus, the “high priest over the house of God” (verse 21). Thanks to the blood of Jesus, we can come into God’s presence with hearts cleansed from sin. We can come near to God, knowing He will accept us (verse 22).

Hebrews 10:23–25
God’s gracious gift of His Son has made possible our fellowship with Him. Nothing we can do will ever be able to provide access into His holy presence. Our sins separate us from God, and Jesus’ blood is the only remedy for those sins.
Ask: “Does Christ’s sacrifice mean that nothing we can do has any effect on our salvation? Explain.” God alone makes provision for our salvation, but we have a responsibility to willingly obey God when we are saved. In Hebrews 10:23–25, we see three key areas of responsibility for believers.

First, believers must “hold fast” to their faith in the promise of eternal life (verse 23, KJV). It’s possible that believers might let go of their faith and not obey God’s demand for righteous living. Life’s challenges and temptations can cause believers to choose to give up on their faith, if they allow those things to get their eyes off of the Lord. Yet Christians can hold fast for God is faithful to keep His promises to them.
Second, Christians are to promote godly living. Godly living can be included in the broad categories of loving others and doing good works (verse 24). To really obey Hebrews 10:24, believers must take time to build relationships with other believers in order to influence them. Sharing the joys and trials of daily living with Christian friends is the best way to influence them toward godly living.
Third, Christians are to relate to the larger group of local believers (verse 25). Involvement in group activities in the church vary, but Christians must remain active in worshipping God together with other believers to encourage one another to grow in spiritual strength and knowledge.

The Old Testament ceremonies of sacrificial atonement were reminders to God’s people that the atonement for their sin came at a cost. It was never to be taken for granted or lightly assumed. Followers of Christ must also remember the price paid for their sins. God’s grace is freely available, but this gift should humble us and urge us to live righteously in service to our Savior.

We need to keep in focus the three areas of personal responsibility outlined in Hebrews 10:23–25. (1) We should be able to stay true to our faith, (2) We should look for opportunities to encourage other believers, and (3) We should worship together in the local body of Christ.

Less Of A Burden

Acts 20:32–35
Committing those under his charge to God was central to Paul’s ministry.Paul never wanted to make people dependent on him. His desire was to bring believers to maturity in their faith in God. Paul knew it is God, working in the lives of believers through His Word, who builds up the Church and gives those who are a part of it, an inheritance.
Paul never wished for what others had—not gold, silver, or clothing. Paul made no demands on the people for his needs. He worked making tents to take care of his needs and the needs of his coworkers. He did this to make it hard for others who used preaching the gospel as a way to take advantage of people, not because he didn’t have the right to accept help financially from those to whom he ministered.
Paul was not saying that people should not give to support the ministry. He wanted them to learn from his example, a great truth about the blessing that comes from giving.