The story of Cinderella is a wonderful and beautiful story. A story that even the most plain and ordinary woman could one day marry a prince. If a servant could marry a prince then any woman could marry a prince. What a tale! In that story the prince has to search out this mysterious lady who arrived at his ball, and all he has to find her by is the glass slipper he now holds. So he goes around the kingdom trying the slipper on all the ladies. He is looking for the perfect fit, and then he has found the perfect lady. If only our spiritual longings could be filled so perfectly and precisely and simplistically. Well, they can be. Through Christ alone. Today we will see another picture of Christ that continues to develop why he had to come.
Within our text today, there are two truths concerning Christ. As these Hebrews were enduring trials and possible persecution, the author was attempting to encourage the Hebrews to maintain their faith in Christ. Some would say they are being tempted to return to making sacrifices in the temple instead of trusting Jesus’ sacrifice for them. From our text today we see two truths concerning who Christ is for us.
The first truth we see today is that Christ is the one who casts the shadow. In verse 1 of chapter 10 the scripture says of the Law that “it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things.” The Law is not the real thing but a mere reflection or image of it. The verse continues “can never make perfect those who draw near.” The part I skipped says “by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year.” Despite their persistence and obedience, the sacrifice itself can do nothing for them. There is no hope for their perfection in the sacrifices that they offered. Verse 2 says that they would have ceased to offer the sacrifices because they would have been cleansed. But the sacrifices being a part of the Law are only a shadow a mere image, a poor reflection of the perfection to come. But notice at the end of verse 1 that it says “those who draw near.” Those who offered the sacrifices were seeking to draw near to God. In their obedience they were seeking him, but through the Law they only received a poor reflection. They were only seeking a shadow if they sought their salvation by their works, but those who offered the sacrifices in faith knowing that only God could cleanse them were seeking the one who casts the shadow.
In the movie Sommersby, a war-torn confederate soldier returns home very much a changed man. Throughout the movie you see the love return to the home and also the questions beginning to arise in people’s minds about whether this is really the real husband or not. By the end of the movie you find that this man actually knew the real husband and heard his stories about home that this man desired for that to be his home. When the real husband died in combat the other man decided to attempt to make that his home. He sought a shadow in hopes of finding the one who cast it.
Acts
The second truth we see this morning is that Christ is the one we anticipate. In verse 3 our text says that “there is a reminder of sins year by year.” And you are wondering how this points to us anticipating Christ? Well, they were seeking to free themselves from the guilt of their sins. They had faith in God that this was what would cleanse them. Only Christ could do that so they were desiring and anticipating what only he could do. If they are seeking to draw near then they are also seeking the one who commands them, and so they are seeking the one who can and will cleanse them. Our redemption is more than being declared innocent and righteous, but it is also about reconciliation. It is about being able to have a relationship with one that we were separated from. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” “Your seed shall crush the head of the serpent.” Do you see it? Christ had to come to pay the price and when we desire and anticipate the redemption, the peace that only Christ can give we are desiring him. And when you sense that desire turn to him. When you desire him, the Spirit is drawing you. Do not turn away but continue to follow that drawing and the Spirit to work in you.
It seems sometimes that some women always seem to fall for the wrong kind of man. Have you ever noticed that or heard about this? Some women get married for the first time and find themselves in an abusive marriage. Often times this abuse begins before the wedding. Eventually the abuse becomes so terrible that they leave and get a divorce and move on. On down the road, they find themselves falling in love again and they marry. Yet again this man will abuse her. It seems for some ladies this cycle goes on and on. They are anticipating that this man will love them. They are anticipating that there deepest yearning for love will finally be fulfilled. Little do they realize they are looking in the wrong place.
Little do we know that so often we seek the love of God in the things we do rather than in him. We seek to feel his affection and approval through our works rather than just loving him and seeking to relate with him. Why? He is what we so deeply long for not works. It is HIM that we need.
Isaiah 53:5 “For He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Daniel 7:13-14 “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” Christ is the one who will bring all things to perfection. He will fulfill your deepest desires that you think will bring you peace. He will not give you what you want but what you desperately long for. He is what we all desire but so often we do not want him. We desire what He can give us but seldom do we truly desire Him? We want the peace and the righteousness but do we want the submission and pain and suffering and hurt that we will experience when we follow him. We want the blessings but not the responsibility.
Seek to love Christ by time spent with him.
Seek to love Christ by longing for him.
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