Episode Details

Remsen Bible Fellowship, 06/18/2023

Introduction

Our text for this morning comes from the letter to the Hebrews. This letter, as a whole, has one major theme: Jesus is better. He’s better than angels, he’s better than Moses, he’s better than the priesthood of Aaron, he’s better than the multitude of sacrifices offered in the past. There is nothing that compares with him. There’s no one who can compare with him. Christ Jesus, our Maker, Savior, and Lord, is of surpassing value. By the time you reach Hebrews chapter 10:19-25, this fact has been well established. But before we get to that text, I need to point out the word it begins with in v19: therefore. I know I’ve said this before, and I will say it again: when, in the Bible, you see the word “therefore”, you need to ask: “what’s it there for?” “Therefore” is always pointing backward to a previous point or argument, something which lays the foundation for what the writer is about to say. So before we jump ahead of ourselves, we should gain a basic understanding of the first half of chapter 10. 

In verses 1-4, the author explains that the old sacrificial system is a shadow. Though those sacrifices were a good thing (God commanded them!), they couldn’t actually accomplish the purpose of removing sin - and we know that because they were continually offered year after year after year.

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 

The writer then goes on to explain that when Jesus came, he came in order to do away with sacrifice. This is because while sacrifice for sin is required, sacrifice itself is not what God desires. What God desires for us is not a continual bloodbath of offerings to pay for our sin, but a changed heart that chooses not to sin. But this is only possible if someone pays for our debt thoroughly and finally and, having forgiven us, gives us a new heart.

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 

                  “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, 

      but a body have you prepared for me; 

            6       in burnt offerings and sin offerings 

      you have taken no pleasure. 

            7       Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, 

      as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” 

8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

So, Jesus does the will of the Father by offering up his body once-for-all as the true and final sacrifice for our sin. The one-time payment Jesus made was sufficient for the sin of the whole world. How can we know this? Because when he finished his work here on earth, he sat down.

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 

Priests in the Old Testame