The message of the book of Hebrews is a long, detailed message to the Hebrew people to lay side all their traditions and culture to embrace what Jesus Christ accomplished for their salvation. The writer of the book keeps bringing up these facts much like a diamond with its many facets each one shines and fascinates. Our journey in this book is repetitive yet each of us knows how difficult it is to leave what you have been told all your life to something new.
This section in our study was written to Hebrew believers who might have slipped backward into their old traditions with the Law and its sacrificial religious system. The saying goes “It is hard to let a habit or tradition die!”
The main idea is that Jesus Christ ushered us into a life of righteousness motivated by grace not guilt. We are free to live without a religious checklist of rules, regulations and rituals, but by the love brought by the righteousness of Jesus in us. Jesus Christ bought us with His blood so He could free us not just from sin but the continual duty to the law!
To remind the people of the law Hebrews 10:1 states “The law was a shadow of good things to come and not the very form of the things.” The point here is that the Law anticipated something far superior; the reality of Jesus Christ’ sacrifice for sin.
- Jesus’ sacrifice was “one” for all sin,
Jesus made one sacrifice that paid for all sin. One purpose of the law was that it made people hungry for something of real substance, something that would last, that would finally and ultimately take away the gut wrenching guilt of sin and soothe the conscience with mercy and grace.
The law is like the pictures in an illustrated cookbook. Trying to be physically nourished by the recipes in a cookbook is just as foolish as trying to be spiritually satisfied by the rituals of the law.
Has anyone told you that when they are really hungry, they’ll grab an illustrated cookbook and thumb through recipes? If anything, those masterfully prepared dishes presented in glossy print will make someone even hungrier. When you are famished start reading the step by step “how to make” instructions with the words like “roast”, “braise,” “saute” and “bake” which will make your mouth water. I don’t know of anybody that would flip through the cookbook, place it back on the shelf and say well, I’m full and satisfied.
Or imagine a married couple had to run back to the alter and get remarried every time they got into an argument. Or if they had to buy a marriage license, find a judge or preacher, and exchange vows every time they had a break in their relationship. Thankfully marriage doesn’t work that way. It takes just one trip to the alter for a bride and groom to be married. No matter how frequent or loud the fights or how cool the personal connections, there is never a legal need to repeat the ceremony, not twice, a third or fourth time.
If a religious act was able to perfectly and completely keep the relationship – breaking power of sin and guilt, there wouldn’t be a need to a continually return to the alter. Notice how the author of Hebrews makes this assertion in verse 2.
Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
This is the point, if the religious sacrifices completely paid for sin, they wouldn’t need another sacrifice ever. After all you don’t keep paying monthly payments on your mortgage on your home if it has been completely paid.
However, we must be careful not to down play God’s demands. The sacrifices were not foolish or meaningless. They were decreed by God and served a purpose…to acknowledge sin. Notice this in Hebrews 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
The context is referring to the limitations of the sacrifices under the Old Testament law itself. The argument is that it was always impossible for the blood of animal sacrifices to take away sins permanently.
The religious rites did remind the people of Israel of their sinfulness. It is like a speed limit sign reminding us of the law and a speeding ticket reminds us of guilt. The Bible says, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:20-23).
Maybe it would be best if Hebrews 10:4 had bold font to emphasize it to the people. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Note that it is not improbable, not difficult, not unlikely, not rare! It is IMPOSSIBLE.
The blood of animals nor any religious activity of man could never take away sin. Hebrews 10:5 explains the reason the Son of God came into the world. Jesus Christ did what no act or no one could do. As verse 5 states; “A body was prepared” Only through the incarnation can Jesus accomplish the will of God and that is to do away with the consequences of sin.
You would think the Hebrew People would understand that under the Old Covenant, the sacrifices simply “kicked the can down the road” so to speak. Ultimately, God did not desire sacrifice and offering as a means for our forgiveness and fellowship with Him.
As Hebrews 10:6 states that “God took no pleasure in the offerings and sacrifices for sin.” In fact, the Bible declares that God doesn’t take pleasure in the death of the wicked, Ezekiel 33:11 nor any of His creation. He is the God of life. Scripture refers to the Lord as the “living God” (Deuteronomy 5:26).
Back to our passage in Hebrews 10 verses 7-9 explains that having taken on a body, Jesus came to do God’s will, which served to provide a permanent cleansing through a once for all perfect sacrifice. Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law). then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
How do we deal with the sin problem that has plagued every human being since Adam? Hebrews 10:10 shows us how. “By… (being) sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
- Jesus’ sacrifice was “once” for all sin.
This Jewish audience practiced these religious rituals to be in a good standing with God. For us today, It would mean don’t rely on the rituals of any religious activity or any other penance or deed to make things right with God. (Another fellow Hebrew stated in John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed”.)
The Hebrew people are reminded that the priests offered sacrifices continually and those sacrifices never could take away sins.
Notice in verse 11, how he wrote this; the priest “STANDS DAILY” carrying out sacrifices over and over again. In contrast in verse 12, Jesus “SAT DOWN” at the right hand of God. Jesus SITS because “it is finished,” no more work or sacrifices are necessary for your forgiveness forever!
Our forgiveness is not the result of continuous effort on your part in any religious practice. It is GOD’s work that has been already accomplished in us when Jesus died for you on the cross.
The author of Hebrews is saying that all people should quit trying to perfect themselves through frenzied activity or the endless motions of religious ritual. Instead, rest in your relationship with Christ and in His completed work.
That is the point back in verse 5, God wants our trust and hope in Jesus Christ more than our observance of some religious ritual. Religious rituals don’t help anyone become Holy and righteous like this true story!
Jesse James, the infamous bank robber and murderer, was actually a member in “good standing” at the Kearney Baptist Church in Kearney, Nebraska. Soon after he killed a man in a bank robbery, he was baptized in the church. Then he killed another man in another bank robbery and joined the choir, where he taught the choir members how to sing. Jesse liked Sundays, but he couldn’t always be at church, especially when he was robbing trains. (Bible Illustrator, #2994-2995, 2/1989.4)
Do you see? Being religious doesn’t make a person better or holy.
But the writer of Hebrews makes it very clear. Jesus’ one sacrifice completed the process of sanctification. It completed the process of making believers holy.
That’s not to say that believers are perfect today, no. Just that Jesus’ one act on the cross was the only thing necessary to perfect those who are in the process of being made holy.
The tense of the verb in verse 10 indicates a one-time act with continuing results. In other words, Jesus one act not only started you on the process of sanctification (to make you holy). But also Jesus sacrifice guarantees the completion of that process.
What Jesus did for you when He died on the cross, He forgave the fine of your sins, having paid for it Himself. He released you from the bondage of having to pay for your own sin, a debt you or I could never pay.
Philippians 1 says, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
When George Washington was in his first term as president, He borrowed the book The Law of Nations by Emmerich de Vattel from the historic New York Society Library. And for some reason forgot to return it.
Maybe since he was president the library never brought it up… Ironically for the next 221 years, it sat on a shelf in Washington’s Virginia home, until 2010 when the Mount Vernon staff finally discovered it was a New York library owned copy and sent it back. The overdue book fines? $300,000.
Fortunately, the head librarian, Mark Bartlett, graciously forgave the fine. (Mark Mancini, “11 Ridiculously Overdue Library Books (That Were Finally Returned),” Mental Floss, 3-18-14; www.PreachingToday.com)
Finally, the author of Hebrews declares the benefits of the New Covenant through the once for all sin sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Hebrews 10:15-18.
Benefits come to those who have remission as verse 18 states “Now where there is remission”
Under the New Covenant, our personal relationship with Jesus Christ has these benefits;
- The Holy Spirit witnesses to us. v.15
Romans 8:16 shares, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
- God will put His law in our hearts and minds. v.16
- God promises that He will never remember our sins and lawless deeds.v.17
- Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, “one” for all sinners, “once” for all sin, v.18
- No longer do you have to bring a sacrifice or offering for sin continually. v.18
- Jesus paid it all already on the cross!
Are you trying to make things right with God through religion? We need to stop trying to do the impossible, thinking we can do anything to gain salvation or grow spiritually. My background of religion and being religious melted away as I realized the truth of what Jesus did for me. Jesus sacrifice has the power to save you and He continues to have the power to change your life. Jesus is the faithful and reliable one who died for all, once for all!