The Son Was Ready

Hebrews 10:5-10 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God.’” 8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
 
YOU may think Hebrews is writing in circles. But you will better understand the wonder of this passage when you read it in two parts. First read verses 5-7. Picture Jesus speaking to the Father as recorded in Psalm 40:6-8. Then read verses 8-10 for Hebrews’ explanation of Jesus’ words. What do you learn?
    When Jesus said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire.” Jesus points to Israel’s obedience as the Father’s greatest desire. God, of course, knew the fall’s corruption on the human heart. He knew Israel needed a particular way to receive ongoing forgiveness for their sin. Repeated burnt offerings and sin offerings were not God’s primary desire for his people, but they needed these for a time.
    Then Jesus spoke the perfect solution to Israel’s and mankind’s ongoing sin – a body you prepared for me. The preincarnate Christ revealed God’s plan to become flesh. The physical body prepared for the Son would be the perfect sacrifice for Israel’s sins, fully acceptable to God, once and for all.
    And then came Jesus’ obedient response to the plan: “Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God.” He spoke the three powerful words of submission and obedience, “Here I am.” They reveal Jesus’ total and complete obedience to, “come to do your will, O God.” In Jesus’ obedience, he sets aside the former sacrifice, so we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
    These six verses contain the message of the old covenant pointing to the new. How profound and wonderful to know of Jesus’ unwavering commitment to your salvation. He knew that the body the Father prepared for him would become a tortuous burden to bear. Jesus understood, “Here I am.” would cause him to be briefly separated from the Father, to die and to be buried. The Word that was with God, and the Word that was God (from John 1:1) would be mocked and scorned, pierced for your transgressions and swayed like a bruised reed. The Holy Son of God said, “Here I am.” at the cross. And now he says, “Here I am.” to you. And he invites you to “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
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