I: THE SHADOW OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE (vv. 1-4)
A: The contrast between the shadow and the very image (1a): (eikon) ESV = “true form.” NIV = “the realities themselves”
B: The implication of the repetition (1b-4)
II: THE REALITY OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE (vv. 5-10)
v. 5 Therefore = “For this reason.”
A: Something better to replace the sacrifice (vv. 5-7)
1: The reality (5b): “But a body you have prepared for me.”
2: The contrast (5,6): Christ’s obedience is more desirable to God than animal sacrifice
3: Obedience declared (7): “Behold, I come …”
B: The exposition (vv. 8-10)
III: THE RESULTS OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE (vv. 11-18)
The contrasts (vv.11-13): standing v. sitting, repeated sacrifices v. one sacrifice.
A: The earthly priest stands ministering daily (11).
B: Christ sat down (12-13); Psalm 110:1
C: The benefits (14-18)
Another contrast: v. 3 and vv. 17,18 “remembrance of sins v. remembrance of Christ’s Sacrifice
IV: THE RELEVANCE
A: How we try to be right with God – ‘sacrifice’
B: The impossibility of this method (v.4)
C: Our need for a substitionary sacrifice
D: The Character of our obedience (Rom. 12:1; Ps. 40)