NOTES for Heb 10:1-18
Today's reading from Hebrews is, as it were, two-layered. There is a first layer: what has already been said many times, that Old Testament sacrifices could not cleanse from sin. True cleansing is given only by Christ's death on the cross. This is the direct meaning of the words, "Sacrifices and offerings You did not desire... behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." Paul places these words on the lips of Jesus. Yet one can also look at it somewhat differently. Of course, this is only the second layer, and nevertheless. Here sacrifice is contrasted with doing the will of God. Our offerings, our attempts to do something for God, are not what He needs. He needs the doing of His will. As one priest said, "Stop doing things for God and start doing the works of God."