Read Hebrews 10
1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”
8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
17 Then he adds:
I will remember no more.”
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
38 And,
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Go Deeper
Don’t miss how this chapter starts: good things are coming! No matter your season of life, if you are in Christ you have reason for great hope. Here’s why: Up until the point of Jesus, sacrifices for sin have always been necessary on an annual basis. This sacrifice was backwards looking as the worshippers of God reflected on their shortcomings and sins. Once again, the people of God had fallen short in their pursuit of Him. When they saw the sacrifice, they saw their past failures. This ritual would happen over and over again. Until one day there was a different sacrifice given for the people of God. This Sacrificial Lamb was lifted on a cross because of the sins of the world. But this time, the sacrifice had new meaning for the people of God. This sacrifice was not just backwards looking, but also forwards. This sacrifice meant that their past, present, and future sins were fully covered. No. New. Sacrifices. Because of this, they could know what their future held. Eternity with God forever.
Verses 11-13 summarize the emotions of this change. The author says, “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices” (v. 11). Can’t you read the exhaustion in their voice? Day after day. Again and again. The work just never seems to end! But there is a change in verse 12. Speaking of Jesus the author says, “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.” (v. 12-13). This priest no longer works day after day, again and again. But instead, he sits and waits. What a profound change! Where did the work go? It is finished!
Therefore, it is with such confidence that we can approach the throne of God. We have access to Him because Jesus has covered our failures in his blood. We don’t have to tiptoe around Him, hoping that He liked our sacrifice for the sins of the last year. Instead, we can enjoy Him now and look forward to when we will be with Him forever. In this world we can endure whatever comes our way because we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that good things are coming!
Questions
- What most stands out to you about this passage?
- How does the assurance of your forgiveness affect your relationship with God?
- How can you encourage the people in your life towards love and good deeds as mentioned in verse 24?
Did You Know?
Hebrews 10 quotes Jeremiah 31 in reference to the coming sacrifice of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, this prophecy was written 600 years before Jesus was even born!
4 thoughts on “Hebrews 10”
How are we to respond to such an amazing gift Christ freely offered? I noticed these 8 charges given the believer:
1. Draw near to God in sincerity.
2. Hold unswervingly to hope in Christ.
3. Spur each other on toward love and good deeds.
4. Keep meeting together as believers.
5. Encourage fellow believers.
6. Remain confident in Christ.
7. Persevere in doing God’s will.
8. Live by faith.
As I read these 8 qualities, I was reminded of the gift of our HC Life Group that we are privileged to do life with. Walking through life’s hills and valleys together has been a game changer as we lock arms and stand firmly together in our faith.
V. 17 reminded me of Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. KJV
When you go north, you reach the north pole and start south to the south pole, and then north again. When you go east, you continue to go east, and continue into infinity and beyond. That is how far out sins have been removed. HEB 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice so that we have the new covenant into the best sanctuary. Christ’s sacrifices made the way for us to come to God’s throne, into the Holy of Holies. BUT GOD does not expect those that love Him to keep on doing the same old sin. I was wandering around in the wilderness, drifting, BUT GOD knew that I truly loved Him and His word. Bringing me back to life in more ways than one, God has helped me see the His way again. I desire to be a believer that lives by faith, to share that faith, to exhort others, to do God’s will, to be still, listen and actively hear for God’s voice, to draw near and to be a (hopefully) mighty prayer warrior for all who ask and for some who do not. HOPE is the another aspect of faith verse 23. We are seeing how Christ fulfilled the law and we are looking for Christ return but until then we are to walk by faith with a Great High Priest who guides us and perfect us.
God thank You for making a way for THE perfect sacrifice, and that Your son was willing to be that. Thank You for it being a one and done. Thank You for me being an active listener, to hear then obey. Thank You for being able to share who You are to me and what You have done with few words but impact to make You the center of the story in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!
26 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, (read that again)
… 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?”
From v 26-30, are verses that stood out to me this morning. Right after the writer urges us to not forsake assembling ourselves in v25. There is truth to be reminded how important your church community is in your life. And if there is no accountability happening, (meaning your role at church doesn’t affect your lifestyle) then you’re not serving or plugged in like you should be…in my opinion. Gone are the days where you should just attend to hear the word. For I was in that season once, and I look back wishing someone would have helped draw me into fellowship more. We are trying to be better about this when we see visitors, or members who aren’t plugged in.
From an outsider’s view, it seems HC is on top of this. I admire the willingness to have ministry areas for all ages and seasons of life there. ☺️