Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
These cross references all relate to the idea that the Old Testament law is a mere shadow of the reality that is found in Jesus Christ. The law was never able to make anyone perfect, but through Christ, we can draw near to God. The heavenly things that are found in Christ are a perfect reality, and the Old Testament law was merely a copy or shadow of this perfect reality. The better sacrifices of Christ are what make us perfect and enable us to draw near to God.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Colossians 2:17: These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Both passages speak to the relationship between the law and the reality of Christ. Hebrews 10:1 explains that the law, with its continual sacrifices, can never truly make those who draw near perfect. Colossians 2:17 furthers this idea by noting that the law is merely a shadow of the things to come, and that the substance belongs to Christ. This emphasizes the importance of Christ's sacrifice, which is superior to the law and is the only way to make perfect those who draw near. |
| Hebrews 7:18-19: For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. | Both passages speak to the way in which the law is inadequate to bring about perfection. Hebrews 10:1 suggests that the continual offering of sacrifices every year fails to make perfect those who draw near, while Hebrews 7:18-19 explains that the law is weak and useless and cannot make anything perfect. Instead, a better hope is introduced that allows us to draw near to God. |
| Hebrews 8:5: They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” | Both passages refer to the Jewish Law, which is a shadow of the good things to come. Hebrews 10:1 explains that the Law can never make perfect those who draw near, since it is only a shadow of the true form of the realities. Hebrews 8:5 further states that the Law serves as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, and that Moses was instructed to make everything according to the pattern that was shown him on the mountain. |
| Hebrews 9:11: But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) | Both passages discuss the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and how it relates to Jesus' sacrifice. Hebrews 10:1 explains that the Old Testament sacrifices could never make those who drew near perfect. Hebrews 9:11 explains that Jesus' sacrifice was greater and more perfect than the Old Testament system, and it was not of this world. |
| Hebrews 9:23: Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. | Both passages refer to the need for sacrifice in order to be made perfect. Hebrews 10:1 speaks of the law's inability to make perfect those who draw near, as the same sacrifices are continually offered every year. Hebrews 9:23 explains that the heavenly things themselves require better sacrifices than those of the law in order to be purified. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the hope that You have brought into our lives through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. We thank You for His perfect sacrifice that has made us perfect and given us access to You. We thank You for showing us the heavenly pattern that we should follow and the shadow of the good things to come.
We pray that we would be purified and made holy through the blood of Jesus, and that we would draw near to You daily. Help us to understand Your Word and to live according to Your will. Guide us in our lives and help us to be faithful to You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.