How does Hebrews 10:7 emphasize Jesus' obedience to God's will? Zooming In On The Verse “Then I said: ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’ ” (Hebrews 10:7) Old Testament Roots • The writer is quoting Psalm 40:7-8, showing that Jesus fulfills words penned centuries earlier. • In Psalm 40 the speaker delights in God’s will rather than in sacrifices—placing obedience at the center. • By identifying Himself with that speaker, Jesus claims that the ancient prophecy was always pointing to Him. The Essence of Obedience Highlighted • “Here I am” — a voluntary presentation of Himself, echoing Isaiah 6:8’s “Here am I; send me.” • “It is written about Me” — Jesus submits to the Father’s written plan, treating Scripture as binding and authoritative. • “I have come” — His entire incarnation is framed as an act of obedience, not a mere reaction to human need. • “To do Your will, O God” — the mission statement of His life (cf. John 4:34; 6:38). Nothing sidelines that goal, even the cross (Philippians 2:8). Contrast With Old Covenant Sacrifices (Hebrews 10:5-10) • Animal sacrifices were repeatedly offered yet could never take away sins. • Jesus, in perfect obedience, offers Himself once for all—His will aligned with the Father’s will achieves what thousands of sacrifices could not. • The text moves from “sacrifices and offerings You did not desire” (v. 5) to “I have come to do Your will” (v. 7), spotlighting obedience over ritual. Echoes Throughout the Gospels • Garden of Gethsemane: “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). • John 10:17-18: He lays down His life “of His own accord” in obedience to the Father. • Matthew 26:56: “All this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled,” again binding Himself to Scripture’s directive. What This Means for Us • The pathway to redemption was cleared by Christ’s wholehearted submission to the Father’s plan. • His obedience is both substitutionary—accomplishing salvation—and exemplary—modeling how believers are to live (Romans 12:1-2). • Because Scripture proved trustworthy in foretelling and guiding His mission, we embrace its reliability for every facet of faith and practice. |
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