Hebrews 10:1–34 (NKJV)
1 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. 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. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But 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. 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, 25 not 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. 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. 29 Of 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.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 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.
The Law of Moses required the Israelites to bring the same sacrifices year after year. What were they to learn from that? That the sins they committed throughout the year kept piling up until they needed to be atoned for again eventually? No, the many sacrifices were to teach the Israelites that the blood of animals can never make atonement for human sins, and yet, atonement had to be made if they were to be God’s people. All the sacrifices they brought were to be little shadows and reminders that the Lord Himself would one day provide the true atoning sacrifice for their sins.
By the one sacrifice of Christ, God has “perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” In other words, on account of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, God has justified believers in Christ. Our sanctification began when we were converted and baptized. It continues as the Holy Spirit renews believers in love each day. Through faith, we stand righteous before God all the time. No more sacrifices for sin ever need to be made. We can approach God the Father boldly and confidently for the sake of Christ and His one sacrifice.
But we must “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.” We stand righteous before God through faith, not apart from faith, and God will faithfully sustain our faith through Word and Sacrament. But if we fail to gather with other Christians around Word and Sacrament, then we jeopardize both our faith and theirs. And if we turn back to sin, knowingly and willfully sinning against God, then we separate ourselves from Christ’s sacrifice; we drive out the Holy Spirit and the faith by which we have access to God. So let us take great care to live each day in repentance and to encourage one another to remain faithful until Christ comes.
Let us pray: Holy Father, we dare to approach You only for the sake of Your beloved Son and the blood He willingly shed for us. Be gracious to us and deliver us from evil, especially the evil of falling into willful sin. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
