New Testament scholar Michael Kruger says, “the book of Hebrews is not a light appetizer. It is more like a porterhouse steak. … It is heavy, meaty stuff. But it’s wonderful stuff.” It is with this same thought that we have approached our studies in Hebrews, taking “small bites” as opposed to eating the “full steak.” As we saw last time, the first 18 verses of chapter 10 conclude the central theological argument which began in chapter 5 – the superior high priesthood of Jesus Christ. This pericope (10:1-18) is a recap of the themes found in the previous 5 chapters. It summarizes the contrasts between the Levitical offerings of the Old Covenant and Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice in four ways – a shadow/reality contrast in 10:1-4; sacrifice/obedience in 10:5-10; the finality of the priesthood in 10:11-14, and the finality of Christ’s sacrifice in 10:15-18. Rather than covering the entire section in one sermon – trying to digest, as it were, the entire steak – we are taking small bites from this pericope to better understand and appreciate how these smaller arguments support the entire thesis.
Having investigated the shadow/reality contrast of verses 1-4 last time, this week we will see how the author of Hebrews uses the Old Testament Scripture (Psalm 40:6-8) to make his point. In so doing, he quotes a voice that his Jewish audience would readily recognize – the voice of King David. Through David, the voice of David’s greater Son, the Messiah, can be heard announcing an utterly different kind of sacrifice: “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” (Heb 10:5-7). Here we find one reason that Christ’s sacrifice is infinitely superior is that He fully knows the evil and horror of human sin, yet still willingly absorbs the wrath of God on our behalf. Hallelujah What a Savior!
As we have sensed repeatedly in Hebrews, with each bite of this steak, we come out with a greater appreciation for Christ and His finished Gospel work. If Hebrews has done one thing for us, it has continually placarded Christ before us as the magnificently wonderful fulfillment of the Scriptures! It continues to challenge us to rekindle our love for Christ in new ways, which is something we desperately need. As time progresses in our faith, Christ is either becoming more magnificent and glorious, or dangerously, more mundane and common. Hebrews stokes the fire of our love for Him, so that we desire more of Him and less of this world.