Monday, 28 January 2019
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. Hebrews 10:11
We now have a thought repeated from verse 4 of this chapter, and yet it is given as a contrast to verse 10. In verse 4, it said that it is “not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” In verse 10 (the previous verse), it says that by God’s will “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
The contrast is seen in the first clause of this verse. In Christ, there was a one-time offering of His body for the sins of His people. However, in the Levitical priesthood, “every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices.”
1) The words, “every priest,” are a sharp contrast to the one true High Priest, Jesus Christ.”
2) The word, “stands,” is given as a contrast to what Christ did after He completed His work. He “sat down” (Hebrews 1:3) after purging the sins of the people.
3) The many sacrifices were offered (daily and repeatedly) to cover sin, but as soon as another sin occurred, another offering was necessary. The sacrifice could never purify the believer because those sacrifices could “never take away sins” (repeated from verse 10:4). This is contrasted to the one-time offering of Christ.
The reason for the contrast and the repetition is because the author is slowly and meticulously building his case for the supremacy of the work of Jesus. He will again make a contrast in the coming verse which will solidify this intent. The supremacy of what Christ did will be on full display. Before getting there though, the huge multitude of sacrifices that were made over the years from Moses to Jesus should be considered.
There were thousands upon thousands of them. Each fulfilled a particular purpose, and each was a reminder to the people that they were imperfect. The sacrifice, though intending to atone for sin, actually highlighted their need for continued atonement. How much greater then is Jesus, who truly died for the sins of the world – one Sacrifice for all time.
Life application: You might possibly be struggling with the idea of asking Jesus to save you more than once. In fact, you may have asked Him to save you many times because you fear that you didn’t do it right or that He somehow didn’t hear you. These thoughts are based on fear. But as John says –
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
Have no fear – if Christ died once for our atonement, then you need only ask Him to save you once. Be perfected in His love which was demonstrated on the cross and you are then assured of eternal salvation. Surely His sacrifice is sufficient. Let’s pray about this.
Heavenly Father, give me a spirit of peace and assurance that my salvation is secure in the work of Jesus. Let me not be fearful that I could ever lose what You have so graciously provided for me through His cross. Today and forevermore, I will stand on the promises of Your word – I am saved, saved, saved! I am saved through the blood of Christ! Amen.