4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
4 For it is not possible
It was not possible for animals to pay for sin in an eternal sense.
that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Animals could not “take away” sin; only a human being could do that. Blood of animals cannot take away sin; only the blood of Christ could do that. Animal sacrifice could only illustrate how it could be done. This sacrifice had no power in itself; it only showed the need for a sacrifice for sin.
Animal sacrifice was only relative, not absolute. It had significance only in the sense that it pointed to the One who would pay for sin absolutely, finally, and completely.
PRINCIPLE:
Only the superior sacrifice of Christ can give the believer the standing of complete forgiveness.
APPLICATION:
The external can never cure the internal. Sin can only be cured from within. A symbol can never ultimately pay for sin; only the reality can do that.
Perpetual imbibing of medicine shows that the cure has not been accomplished. The constant reminder of our sin indicates that sin has not been forgiven. The complete forgiveness that Christ provides gives the believer a perfect standing before God.
