This chapter emphasizes the prefect sacrifice of Jesus Christ in contrast with the imperfect sacrifices that were offered under the Old Covenant. Our Lord's superior priesthood belongs to a better order—Melchisedec’s and not Aaron's. It functions on the basis of a better covenant, the New Covenant, and in a better sanctuary, the one in heaven. But all of this depends on the better sacrifice.
Christ's sacrifice takes away sin. The animal sacrifices could never deal completely with human because of sin. Those sacrifices did not make the worshippers prefect. Sacrifices had to be offered year after year.
Hebrews 10:4: "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should
take away sins."
Through the death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus Christ has taken away sin, and those who believe are made perfect.
Hebrews 10:14: "For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified."
Hebrews 1:1-10:18 is a presentation of Christ. Hebrews 10:19-13:25 deals with the practice of Christianity.
No Old Covenant worshipper would have been so bold as to try to enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle. Even the high priest entered the Holy of Holies only one day a year. The thick veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was a barrier between the people and God. Only the death of Jesus Christ could tear that veil (Mark 15:38; Ephesians 2:13-17) and open the way into the heavenly sanctuary where God dwells.
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Mark 15:38 KJV 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to
the bottom.
Ephesians 2:13-17: KJV 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far
off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made
both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making
peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which
were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Beginning in Verse l9, the writer deals with the practical aspect of Life in Christ. Hebrews 10:19-25 shows us that Christ's sacrifice opens the way to God. From now on, the writer tells us the kind of life we should live because of Christ's work as the High Priest for us. Thus, he sets forth the superiority of the Life in Christ. This is based upon the work of Christ as our High Priest.
"Therefore", Verse l9, speaks of that which precedes the statements in the following verses.
Dr. H. C. Mears illustrates it this way.
"After one has accepted Christ, there are levels of Christian living. Some Christians live in the basement of Christian experience, merely inside the building but where it is dark, dismal, and gloomy. Others live on the ground floor. They leave the first foundations and go on. Some sunlight enters, but their outlook is upon the circumstances about them. They live very close to the world. Still others live up higher. Sunlight and warmth flood the rooms. The noise and attractions of the worldly street do not disturb them. The air is pure. The outlook is toward the blue skies and distant mountains. These live above the world, hidden with Christ in God.
It is in this high realm that God wishes us all to live continuously."
THE BELIEVER'S ACCESS TO THE HOLY PLACE Verses 19-22
A declaration of the believer's privilege. The right of approach unto the presence of God is now the believer's privilege. We may "enter into the holy place." Vsl9. There is a reference here to the entrance of the high priest into the holy of holiest under the Mosaic economy. The holy place in the text is the Divine Sanctuary, the place of God's essential presence. We have the privilege of access into His presence through prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Hebrews 4:14-16: KJV 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15
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For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need.
We have "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Verse l9). This boldness is not rashness or irreverence. It is rather a holy freedom of access to God because of our assurance that we will be graciously receive by Him. We see this in the exercise of prayer.
Note how this privilege has been obtained for us (Verse l9), "by the blood of Jesus." See Romans 5:1-2. It is by the sacrifice of Christ that we have the right of access to the presence of God. It is by the infinite love of God manifested in that sacrifice that we have confidence in availing ourselves to this right. In a word, this privilege has been obtained for us though the mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1-2: KJV 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this
grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The characteristics of the way are given in Verse 20. It is a new way, that is, newly made, recent, the freshly slain way. It is a living way. This is contrasted to the way under the Old Covenant which could not give life (John 14:6). It is living because Christ "ever liveth to make intercession"
for us (Hebrews 7:25).
John 14:6 KJV 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The inauguration of this way is stated in Verse 20. There is a comparison between the flesh of our Saviour and the veil which separated the most holy place from the holy place. In His death, our Lord put off the weak mortal flesh. When Jesus died, "The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom," (Matt. 27:51), laying open the Holy of Holies. In His death, Christ laid aside those conditions of the body which could not be taken into heaven itself and removed the barriers which kept us from God.
The encouragement to tread this way is given in Verses 21-22. Our great High Priest has trodden the way before us. He has entered the heavenly sanctuary and abides in the glorious presence of God the Father. He is there on our behalf as our Representative, as our Forerunner, and as an attraction to draw His people there also.
AN EXHORTATION TO AVAIL OURSELVES OF THIS PRIVILEGE IS GIVEN
Verse 22. "Let us draw near."
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Let us draw near with perfect sincerity. "With a true heart." This is a heart that is free from hypocrisy and self-deception.
Let us draw near with perfect assurance. "In full assurance of faith." This means not questioning our right of access or the certainty of our gracious acceptance through Christ. This is with no divided confidence but in fullness of faith in Jesus Christ. If we would draw near to God acceptably, we must do so "in full assurance of faith" in our great High Priest as the only and all-sufficient Mediator.
Let us draw near with purity of heart and life (Verse 22c). There is a reference here to the Levitical purification. True faith brings about this Divine action of "sprinkling," that is, of so appropriating the effect of the blood of Christ shed on our behalf to relieve our burdened consciences because we see that our sins have been laid on our Substitute.
Of course, we must prepare ourselves spiritually to fellowship with God. The Old Testament priests had to go through various washings and the applying of the blood on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Also, during the regular daily ministry, the priests had to wash at the laver before the entered the holy place (Exodus30:17-21.). The New Testament Christian must come to God with a pure heart and a clean conscience. Fellowship with God demands purity (1 John 1:5-2:2).
Exodus 30:17-21: KJV 17 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 18 Thou
shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and
thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and
thou shalt put water therein. 19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands
and their feet thereat: 20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation,
they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar
to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: 21 So they shall wash
their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to
them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.
1 John 1:5 - 2:2: KJV 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him,
and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we
say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not
the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him
a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things write I unto you,
that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
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CHRISTIAN FIDELITY AND DUTIES ARE LISTED Verses 23-25
An exhortation to Christian fidelity is given (Verse 23). "Let us hold fast." The readers of this epistle were being tempted to forsake their confession of Jesus Christ by going back to the Old Covenant. The writer did not exhort them to hold on to their salvation because their security was in Christ and not in themselves (Hebrews 7:25). Rather, he encouraged them to hold fast the
" confession of hope," to be faithful, loyal to the confession of hope.
Hebrews 7:25: KJV 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost
that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Note the object of our hope. It is in Christ that we have present forgiveness of our sins, the right of approach unto God, and sanctifying influence. It is through Christ that we will obtain unto future and perfect rest.
Note the confession of our hope. The confession made through Christian baptism of these Hebrew Christians was a confession of their faith in Jesus Christ. When the hope is clear and assured, it cannot remain dumb. It must speak and give reason of its own existence.
There is an emphasis on the glorious hope of the believer. God is "bringing many sons unto glory"
(Hebrews 2:10). Believers are "partakers of the heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1). Therefore, we can rejoice in hope (Hebrews 3:6). Hope is one of the main themes of Hebrews 6 (Vs 11-12, 18-20). We are looking for Christ to return (Hebrews 9:29). We are seeking that city that is yet to come (Hebrews 13:14).
The confession is to be maintained. Verse 23b, "Without wavering," or that it wavers not. See Jude 3; Revelation 3:11; 2 John 8. When a believer has his hope fixed on Christ and relies on the faithfulness of God the Father, then he will not waver. Instead of looking back (as the Jews so often did), we should look ahead to the coming of the Lord.
Jude 3: KJV 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should
earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Revelation 3:11: KJV 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.
2 John 8: KJV 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have
wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
The encouragement to Christian fidelity is in the faithfulness of God (Verse 23c). "For He is faithful that promised." Of this we have many guarantees: His infinite intelligence, His almighty power, and His perfect faithfulness (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2; Numbers 22:19). This faithfulness 159
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of God to His glorious promises should ensure us our faithfulness in the confession of our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 6:18: KJV 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible
for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to
lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Titus 1:2: KJV 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised
before the world began;
Numbers 22:19: KJV 19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night,
that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.
The duty and design of mutual consideration are given in Verse 24. The duty of mutual consideration is stated in Verse 24a. "Let us consider one another." This duty calls upon us to cherish a mutual regard and to exercise a kind consideration one for another (Galatians 6:1-2).
Galatians 6:1-2: KJV 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest
thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ.
The design of mutual consideration is given in Verse 24b . "to provoke unto love and good works."
"To provoke" is used here in the good sense—to excite or to call into activity for a worthy purpose.'
"Consider one another" in order to produce in each other a generous rivalry in love and good works. LOVE is the supreme grace of Christian character (1 Corinthians 13:13). It is the most Christ like, the most like God the Father. It is that which most truly represents our Saviour to the world. GOOD WORKS are the expression of that love. Love delights itself in self-sacrificing service for the Beloved.
1 Corinthians 13:13: KJV 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
but the greatest of these is charity.
Encouragement for social or public worship is set forth in Verses 24-25. Fellowship with God the Father must never become selfish. We must also fellowship with other Christians in the local assembly. Apparently, some of the wavering believers had been absent from Church fellowship and worship. It is interesting to note that the emphasis here is not on what the believers gets from this assembly but rather upon what he can contribute to the assembly. Faithfulness in Church attendance encourages others and provokes them to love and good works. One of the strongest motives for faithfulness is the soon coming of Jesus Christ.
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Conclusion
There are three great Christian virtues that are evidenced here: faith, Verse 22; hope, Verse 23; and love, Verse 24. They are the fruit of our fellowship with God in His heavenly sanctuary.
Do you have the assurance of your salvation? Are you walking in fellowship with God and His Church?
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