Chapter 10
The Imperfection of the Animal Sacrifices
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.
The Old Testament law was just a shadow or copy of good things to come but not the very image itself. The animal sacrifices could not make anyone perfect or they would not have had to be repeated continually. The continual sacrifices showed the people their sinfulness. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away the people’s sins, just cover them.
Only Jesus’ Sacrifice is Pleasing to God
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. 10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The Old Testament sacrificial system and Jewish law was just a temporary way of teaching the Jews that they needed a Savior who could completely do away with their sins. The Lord had no real lasting pleasure in the animal sacrifices as they were insufficient to forever take away sins. Jesus, God’s Son, came in human flesh to be the perfect sacrifice that would truly be pleasing to the Father and be sufficient to pardon and remove all sins for the Christian. Believers in Christ have been sanctified, set apart, cleansed, and made holy by the blood sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary.
Through Christ God Remembers Our Sins No More
11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But 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.
15 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.
Jesus Christ, after His great sacrifice on the cross, rose from the grave and ascended to heaven to be seated on the right hand of God as He governs creation. He is waiting for the time when all His enemies will bow down to Him. It was by His one offering that Christians have been made perfect forever in the sight of God.
In the New Testament era we now have a covenant made by God to put his laws in our hearts and minds. He, in His grace to believers in His Son, will no longer remember our sins. Since our sins have been forgiven by the work of Christ there is no longer any need for any additional sacrifices for sin.
Be Strong in Your Faith
19 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, 25not 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.
Through Christ’s death and resurrection we no longer have our access to God blocked by the veil of the temple. That veil was ripped apart from top to bottom at the crucifixion (Matt. 27:51) showing that we have access to enter into the Holy of Holies because of Jesus who is our High Priest over the house of God. Our hearts and bodies have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. This should encourage us to be strong in our faith, not to waver, because Jesus is eternally faithful to us. As Christians we should show love and good works toward others and not neglect worshiping together with fellow believers in church. We should be more fervent in our love and devotion to Christ and an encouragement to fellow believers as the day of His return nears with each passing day.
God Will Judge and Punish Those Who Reject His Son
26 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. 29Of 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.” 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
If people hear the Word of God but still continue in their sins without true repentance and faith in Christ there is no longer a sacrifice that can save them. They can expect fiery indignation and judgment from God. Those who reject Jesus are disgracefully stepping all over the Son of God, making light of His shed blood, and insulting the Holy Spirit. The Apostle reminds us that God will exact punishment on those who reject His Son. We should know that it is a fearful thing to be judged by the living God. He is the One who has power to cast us into the lake of fire should we reject His Son Jesus. (Matt. 10:28)
32 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. 36For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
The Apostle wants his readers to remember the amount of persecution they endured after they became believers in Jesus Christ. He tells them they had compassion on him when he was in chains of imprisonment for his preaching of Jesus Christ. He commends them for being happy when their possessions were plundered by others because of their faith in Christ as they knew they had an eternal possession of far greater value in heaven. He encourages them to be steadfast in their faith which has a great reward for them. He wants them to endure the hardships and persecution for by doing the will of God they will receive the promise of God.
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.
Jesus is coming soon for those who live by faith in Him. (Rev. 22:12) God has no pleasure in those who have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and then turn away from it. Those who turn away from Christ will be cast into the lake of fire but those who believe in Jesus will have their souls saved.