Posted: 10/20/06
Explore the Bible Series for October 29
Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all sin
• Hebrews 10:1-18
By Howard Anderson
Diversified Spiritual Associates, San Antonio
The writer of Hebrews concludes his formal argument by reiterating his belief that the single, effective offering of Jesus Christ has ended the vain, repetitious offering of animals and has achieved the goal of the new covenant and the forgiveness of sins. The motive of the Christian faith is to show gratitude for God’s mercies in Jesus Christ.
Need for Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-4)
The Old Testament sacrifices recognized that sin was a constantly recurring affair and new sins needed fresh sacrifices. The law gave only a faint outline of things to come (Colossians 2:14-17). The gospel points to an effective sacrifice—a way opened through the blood of Christ into the very presence of God.
Humanity is hungering and thirsting for fellowship with God. Sin is the barrier that prevents men and women from drawing closer to God. It was not possible that the law could take away sins, make perfect or purify the heart. Satan has blinded the minds of men and women who insist on going back under the law (2 Timothy 4:1-4). The sin barrier can be lifted only through Jesus Christ.
The Son of God was the perfect sacrifice that achieved the promised covenant relationship by assuring the forgiveness of sins. Sin is a personal matter, and only a personal power can cleanse. Christianity exalts the personal and declares the personal characters are the worthiest symbols of God. God is to be worshipped as person, “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
Prophecy for Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:5-7)
The teaching liturgies described in Leviticus of peace offerings (3:1-17), thank offerings (7:11-34), sin offerings of acts of ignorance (4:1-35), burnt offerings (1:1-17, 6:8:13), and the Day of Atonement (16:1-34), although ordered by God, were not designed to satisfy the massive requirements of carrying away sins. They were strictly preparatory guides toward the real thing.
The necessary sacrifice sufficient for atonement is a body that God has prepared for Christ. The body that walked this earth, the body that shared flesh and blood with the children in perfect identification, the body stainless and sinless because of the person whose body it was—now is ready for the sacrifice.
The prophet Isaiah reveals something of the plan (chapter 53). Someone is going to bear our grief and carry our sorrow. Even though he is not the type we might have chosen, yet he is to be wounded on our behalf and for our transgressions. When judgment should have been upon us, he bore our sins. When punishment should have been meted out, our sin bearer took it. His meekness was deceiving and his silence was disarming. And yet, it was the will of God to bruise him. After he has been made an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring—those born again to new life, accounted righteous before the God of flawless morality. He bore the sins of many.
Results of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:8-18)
The old, repetitious sacrificial system was removed to make way for the new, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, who had obediently done God’s will (Philippians 2:8). God did not will to redeem humankind by animal sacrifices, but by a human sacrifice of infinite merit. To this end, he prepared a body for the eternal logos who came to do the will of God and die for the sins of the world. Jesus Christ died for our sins (Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:24).
When Christ fulfilled the will of God, he provided for the believer a continuing, permanent condition of holiness (Ephesians 4:24). By the will of God in preparing Christ as a sacrifice we are sanctified (made holy, pure) and perfected (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).
Thousands of priests continually standing, with repeated offerings, and the ineffective sacrifices that only covered sin versus one Priest sitting down with a once-for-all offering with the effective sacrifice that completely removes sin (vv. 10-11).
It is by the body of Jesus Christ offered once and for all people in all time that we that we have been sanctified according to the will of God. This death was no martyrdom—it was the grand fulfillment of an eternal plan. God took the risk at creation of giving his creatures free will. He knew right well what the outcome would be, and he prepared for that from the first acts of creation. God was not surprised by Calvary. The body, the death, the atonement were his plan all along, and we simply played into it.
Christ’s sacrifice was made but once, and it was sufficient. God is good and the redeemed should say so. Praise the Lord!
Discussion question
• How can the sacrifice best be honored? Give specific examples.
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