January 15, 2023
Evening Service

In these last few chapters of Hebrews, the writer is building his case upon the foundation he established in the earlier chapters.  In chapter 9, he brought forth very clearly how Jesus, our High Priest, fulfilled the Law by bringing His blood into the presence of God once and for all obtaining eternal redemption for all who believe in Him.  He did not bring the blood of bulls and goats, but His own as an offering of atonement for not His own sins, but the sins of all mankind.

Heb. 9:13-15For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, (14) how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  (15)  And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

            He offered His blood one time for eternity, the perfect sacrifice for all sin.  His sacrifice makes Him the Mediator of the New Covenant.  We pick up there as we begin chapter 10.

 

Hebrews 10:1-10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.  (2)  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.  (3)  But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.  (4)  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.  (5)  Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU DID NOT DESIRE, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME.  (6)  IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES FOR SIN YOU HAD NO PLEASURE.  (7)  THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME—IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME—TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.' "  (8)  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), (9) then He said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.  (10)  By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

            The OT method of sacrificing bulls and goats for atonement, never fully did its job because they had to be offered year after year.  These sacrifices only “rolled” the sins forward to the day in which Jesus offered Himself as our one-time perfect sacrifice that never needed to be offered again.  The job was completed and atonement achieved upon Jesus’ death.  The writer then quotes Psalms 40 which is a direct prophecy of Jesus fulfilling the shadow of the OT sacrifices with the One true sacrifice, the giving of Himself.  He fulfills the original covenant and establishes the second.  The writer summarizes that next.

 

Hebrews 10:11-14 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  (12)  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, (13) from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.  (14)  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

            That is an extremely powerful statement that once we understand it, it brings us great confidence of our salvation.  “This Man,” Jesus “offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” to be our intercessor, mediator before God.  He will do this until the time of the end when “His enemies are made His footstool.”  All of the OT scriptures pointed to this moment in time where the Messiah, would not conquer the Roman empire, but the powerful enemy sin and death.  He again fulfills one to establish the second; making things new.  The writer now again quotes scripture proving his point form Jeremiah.

 

Hebrews 10:15-18 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, (16) "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, AND IN THEIR MINDS I WILL WRITE THEM," (17) then He adds, "THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."  (18)  Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

            The New Covenant will be one where the laws are written upon our hearts and minds where we know what we are to do to be found faithful.  Our sins He promises to “remember no more!”  We are freed from the legalism of the law and its do’s and don’ts, and simply give Jesus our heart and follow Him in love and faith.  Remember this was the plan from the beginning of time to come to this point of grace and truth that we live in now.  The writer now will build on this point to make a powerful statement and a challenge to us.

 

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  (23)  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  (24)  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

            Because our sins are paid for in full and we are living under the New Covenant with God’s law living inside of us, we can come boldly into God’s presence. The veil that was ripped in two at the time of Jesus’ death symbolizes that our access to God is no longer restricted, our sins no longer separate us from our Holy Creator so we may enter into His presence with full assurance.  By faith believing “the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”  Because Jesus’ blood covers our sins we are not restricted from meeting with God, but invited and encouraged to do so!  “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” confident of our new relationship with our Lord.  In doing so he challenges us to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”  We are to be “better together” loving one another, stirring and encouraging each other to grow in our faith together.  How do we accomplish that?  Don’t miss church!  “Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much more as we see the Day approaching.”  How much clearer does he have to be.  Get to church when the doors are open and be exhorted by not only God, but your church family as we walk this journey together!  This is an exhortation for each of to grow and also encourage those around us to do likewise.  He now looks at the alternative of coming to this marvelous realization and simply walking away from it.

 

Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.  (28)  Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  (29)  Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?  (30)  For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."  (31)  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

            Salvation is a wonderful free gift offered to “whosoever will believe,” if we accept it and allow the Holy Spirit to change us.  However, if we choose to reject that offer we open ourselves to the judgement of God.  I always have pictured this scripture comparing someone who rejects the offer of salvation to the crowd who stood by as Jesus carried His cross to Calvary.  They were the ones who mocked Him, and spit upon Him refusing to believe that He was who He said He was.  They “trample the Son of God underfoot, counting His blood as a common thing.”  Many in our society today fall into this category, not only in their unbelief, but their great efforts to deter others from believing as well; fighting to do the opposite of everything He taught.  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

 

  Hebrews 10:32-39 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: (33) partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; (34) for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.  (35)  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  (36)  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (37) "FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY.  (38)  NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM."  (39)  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

            The writer encourages us; “you have come this far and endured so much, don’t turn back now!”  It is he that endures to the end that will receive the reward.  Live and walk by faith knowing as time passes we need to draw closer to God rather than to drift away.  Be diligent to finish strong this journey we have been called to.  There is no place to quit, we KNOW that in the end we will win.  There are rough roads ahead, but we know our final destination and reward waits for us there.  Jesus waits patiently for us to say “Enter in my good and faithful servant into the joys of the Lord!”

 

Heavenly Father, grant to us a vision of heaven that is so strong we can endure anything to get there.  Help us to be found faithful to You and an encouragement to those who walk with us on this journey.