Hebrews 10:1–11 “Shadow and Reality”

Hebrews 10:1-11 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Chris Tomlin – Indescribable
• Beautiful Things by Gungor
• Steffany Gretzinger- As The Deer

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Kids Bible Devotional – Jesus Cleans Us | Hebrews 10:10 – Lesson for Kids
• God Made Me by Cedarmont Kids (Cover by Collective Kids) – Song for Kids
• This is my Father’s world | Christian children song – Song for Kids
• Good in Every Way | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The author continues to explain by comparing the sacrifices offered by human priests with the perfect sacrifice offered by Jesus. Previously, the author used the metaphor of “pattern” and “copy,” and now uses the metaphor of “shadow” and “reality.” The Law is only “a shadow of the good things that are coming” (v.1). The reality is Jesus Christ. Therefore, the sacrifices offered according to the regulations of the Law are not perfect. If those sacrifices had been perfect, there would have been no reason to offer them year after year (v.2). Paradoxically, the very fact that the Day of Atonement had to be observed annually became a yearly reminder that they were still sinners (v.3). What the blood of animals removed was guilt, not sin itself (v.4).

The author here quotes Psalm 40:6–8 (vv. 5–7). He interprets this psalm as a prophecy about Christ. “The Lord” refers to God the Father, and “I” refers to Christ. Christ says that because God did not desire sacrifices and offerings, he sent him in the flesh; and instead of offering burnt offerings and sin offerings, he was sent to do the will of the Lord (vv. 8–9). The “will of the Lord” refers to offering the perfect sacrifice. In fulfillment of this prophecy, Jesus offered his body once for all on the cross, thereby “set aside the first” (v. 9), and through this, we have been “made holy” (v. 10).

Meditation:

The author of Hebrews states that the temple serves as a model of God’s throne and that the Law is a shadow of the complete revelation. As created beings, we are limited and therefore cannot fully understand God or His kingdom. It is like the limitation of an ant living in a three-dimensional world but only able to perceive it as a flat surface. It’s also like the difference between the world experienced by a tadpole swimming in water and the world it encounters after becoming a frog. Human beings, confined by the limits of the flesh, cannot properly comprehend the spiritual realm of God. That is why God commanded the building of the temple—to help us imagine His kingdom—and gave the Law so that we might glimpse what life in that kingdom is like.

When we think about it, not only the temple and the Law, but everything we see and hear in this world is a model and shadow of God and His kingdom. As we watch the sun rise through the darkness beyond the horizon, we are reminded of the eternal light that shone when God said, “Let there be light” in the beginning. As we hear birds singing in the morning, we are reminded of the songs of angels that ring out eternally in heaven. When we see a table set neatly and beautifully, we are reminded of the banquet we will enjoy in the kingdom of heaven. As we lie down to rest at the end of a day’s work, we are reminded of the eternal rest we will enjoy in God’s kingdom. Breathing in the refreshing air, we think of the Spirit of God, and as we gaze at the clear sky, we imagine the eternal world to come.

When we think this way, there is nothing in this world to discard. Though they may only be models and shadows, all these things stir our hearts to imagine and long for the eternal kingdom of God.

Prayer:

Thank you for the gift of life today. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food on our table, there is not one thing that is not precious. Through all of these, you help us to imagine and long for what is to come in you. And so, with all my heart, I give you thanks. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Everything in this world—from the sun and the sky to the food on our table—is like a shadow pointing us to God and His kingdom. Even though we can’t see heaven now, God gives us hints through everyday things to help us imagine, hope for, and trust in Him.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • What is something you saw or heard today that made you smile? Do you think God can use that to show us something about heaven?
  • Can you think of something in nature or your home that reminds you of God?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Have you ever had a moment when something ordinary (like sunlight, music, or a meal) made you feel close to God? What was that like?
  • Why do you think the Bible calls things like the temple and the Law a “shadow” of what’s real?
• For High School
  • How might seeing the world as a “shadow” of God’s kingdom change how we live our daily lives?
  • What is one thing in your life right now that helps you imagine or long for God’s eternal kingdom?