NEW ORDER OF OBEDIENCE - In this snippet, the writer has stepped outside the Torah tradition to reflect on it from the paradigm of the Christ-event. What she/he sees is a tectonic shift within the sacrificial system. The sheer repetition of sacrifices each year "proves" to the writer that the system was powerless to truly eradicate the guilt of sin. But through the obedience of Christ, however, the old order of butchering animals on behalf of worshipers is laid aside to be replaced by the unique offering of Christ as The Sacrifice.

EMBEDDED TRUTH - Nearing the end of the discussion of the new and final sacrifice of Christ, the writer now seeks to show more convincingly the contrast between the levitical priesthood and Christ’s by citing a psalm text that will demonstrate that within the old system itself could be found declarations of its own failing . . . The sacrifice of his own will to God’s and the inwardness of God’s law mark the high priestly ministry of Christ. [1]

JOHN CALVIN - For even though atonement for sins had been truly promised in the ancient sacrifices, and the Ark of the Covenant was a sure pledge of God’s fatherly favor, all this would have been but shadow had it not been grounded in the grace of Christ, in whom one finds perfect and everlasting stability. [2]

 

What daily rituals do you most dislike? What daily rituals do you most like?

Recall an experience in which you were told to do a task, but yet you were not given the resources to do the job effectively. How did that make you feel?

Forgiveness of sin referred to in our lesson is a big topic among major religions. If, in the exchanging of gifts this year, the gift of unilateral forgiveness was exchanged, how would that improve relationships among family members?

 

Stay with the idea implied in our lesson of incarnation.

The discussion is a problem/solution issue. Problem: ineffectiveness of sacrificial system to eradicate the guilt of sin. The Solution: the unique and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.

You may want to adjust the problem by moving closer to our culture-how we try to eradicate the impact our wrongs have on others; and then suggest how the Christian faith is based on the idea of Incarnation-Someone else provided forgiveness so that we can be receivers and bearers of forgiveness.

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible XII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), page 114.
[2] John Calvin, The Institutes, Bk II, chp vii, 16 (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960), page 364.