Hebrews 9:9 says, "This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper." This took me back to the early story in Genesis of Cain and Abel and the issue of the acceptance of the sacrifice. Most know the story that Abel's was offered and was acceptable while Cain's was not. The issue I believe had to do with the heart of obedience, not the sacrifice.
It takes me as well to the story of Saul's premature sacrifices in 1 Samuel 15. Samuel responds to the sacrifices of Saul by saying: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?"
And herein lies our challenge as Hebrews presents it later in 9:13: "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean."
Outwardly clean.
Inwardly impure.
Appearance is a funny thing in our culture, as is belief. You can appear a certain way and be completely opposite. You can say you believe a certain way and live completely opposite. Much of the 'sacrifices' we make are only good enough to make us seem outwardly clean while inwardly we remain unaffected and even worse off then before...thinking somehow those external sacrifices have done something to cleanse the internal domination of sin. We exchange sacrifice for obedience just as Saul or Cain.
Thus we live under the first covenant...at arms lenght...remaining satisfied to do the right things externally while inwardly living unsubmitted to the Lordship of Christ which brings us freedom and deliverance from sin.
As I approach the Eucharist table tomorrow night I want to do so in a way that takes in anew and again the cleansing of Christ of my sins. I also want to renew in my faith and walk with Christ the victory of sin Christ brings me.
"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
Hebrews 9:14
