Jesus Christ is Superior to Aaron as God’s High Priest (4:14–10:18): Part 7 of 7

The Weakness of the Law

“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. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1-4, NKJV).

The law (vv. 1, 8) is the Law of Moses (10:28), the basis of “the first covenant” with Israel (cf. 8:4–9:1; 9:18, 19, 20, 22), merely a shadow of good things to come, not the form or substance (10:1a; cf. 8:5; 9:9, 23-24). Its sacrificial system cannot make a person “perfect” or completely right with God (10:1b; cf. 7:19; 9:9), with animal sacrifices offered continually year by year (10:1b; cf. 7:27; 9:7, 25-26). There is a constant reminder of sins and no complete removal of guilt (10:2-3; cf. 9:9). Animal blood cannot take away sin (10:4; cf. 9:12-14).

Christ Has Replaced the Old Law with Something Better

“Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, “Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.”’ 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), then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all’” (Hebrews 10:5-10).

Psalm 40:6-8 (LXX 39:6-8) is quoted and applied to Christ (10:5-9; cf. 1 Sam. 15:22). The law’s sacrifices were merely a stopgap measure until the time was right for Christ to make the ultimate provision for sin, requiring his incarnation and physical “body” (vv. 5, 10; cf. 2:14; 5:7).

Jesus fulfilled God’s will (10:9a; cf. John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 17:4; 19:30; Luke 22:42). “He takes away the first that He may establish the second” (10:9b). The first covenant is therefore changed (7:12), annulled, weak, unprofitable (7:18), obsolete (8:13), merely a shadow of the good things to come (10:1), taken away (10:9; cf. 2 Cor. 3:14, 16), wiped out, canceled, taken out of the way, nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), and we are no longer under it (Gal. 3:24-25). By that will (of God, vv. 7, 9) we have been sanctified/set apart/made holy (cf. v. 14, 29; 2:11; 13:12; 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Thess. 4:3; 2 Thess. 2:13) through the offering of Christ’s body once for all (10:10; cf. 7:27; 9:28).

The One Sacrifice of Jesus is Sufficient

“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, ‘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,’ then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’ Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:11-18).

Note the monotony and futility of the old-covenant system (10:11):

o   Every priest – many over the years (cf. 7:23), all of whom were needed.

o   Stands ministering (present tense) – his work is never done; always more to do.

o   Daily – no time off; incessant.

o   Offering repeatedly (time after time) – the same rituals, over and over and over.

o   The same sacrifices – same animals offered in the same way at the same time in the same place.

o   Which can never take away sins – futility, no permanent benefit (cf. v. 4).

Note the contrast with respect to the new-covenant system (10:12-14), under Christ’s priesthood:

o   Only one high priest (10:12a).

o   Just one sacrifice for sins (cf. v. 10, 14; 7:27; 9:12, 28).

o   Forever (cf. 5:9; 6:2; 7:25; 9:12, 15).

o   He has sat down at the right hand of God (cf. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 12:2) until his enemies are made his footstool (quote Psa. 110:1; cf. 1 Cor. 15:24-26).

o   For by one offering (cf. v. 10, 12) he has perfected¹ (made completely right with God) forever (cf. v. 12; 5:9; 9:12, 15) those who are being sanctified (cf. v. 10, 29; 2:11).

The Holy Spirit gives testimony (10:15-18) as he bears witness through scripture (cf. 3:7),² and Jeremiah 31:33-34 is again quoted (cf. 8:10-12). No more offerings are needed because Jesus has made the once-for-all-time provision for the forgiveness of sins (10:18).

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ The Greek verb teleióō means to complete, finish, fulfill, perfect (5:9; 7:19, 28; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23); teleíōsis is fulfillment, perfection (7:11); teleiōtēs is perfecter, consummator (12:2); teleutáō means to come to an end, to die (11:22); télos means the end (3:6, 14; 6:8, 11; 7:3).

     ² See K. L. Moore, “Are You Listening to the Holy Spirit,” Moore Perspective (2 Sept. 2015), <Link>.

Related Posts: Heb 9:1-28

 

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