Hebrews 10:11-18 – Christ, the only way

In these verses, the author wanted to demonstrate the finality of Christ’s Priesthood. In the Old Testament, there had not been a record that any of those Levitical priests sat down. They could not sit down because their works were never finished for the sacrifices they offered could never remove the guilt that sin brought into the people’s lives. Whereas, here we see Christ offered Himself for the people’s sins once for all, after which He sat down. Here the author quoted from Psalm 110. In referring to the posture of sitting, the author meant to say that His work of bringing salvation to believers had been done. He now sits beside the Father because His work is finished.

Verse 11 begins by revealing the futility of the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant priesthood. The argument of the writer was this: the numerous times that the same sacrifice was repeated only went to show its ineffectiveness. It simply implied that the work of the priest could never be done. Like the Old Covenant priest, Christ the High Priest also offered a sacrifice, but He only had to offer it once. His one offering of Himself decisively took away the sins of the people for all times.  Having made the perfect sacrifice, Christ then sat down at the right hand of God. More precisely, His work of removing believers’ sins and making them fit for God’s presence had been completed. Christ had fulfilled in every way the righteous demands required of God. Christ is now waiting for the appointed time of ultimate triumph over the enemies.

The “offering” in verse 14 refers to Christ offering His own body on the Cross. Because of its effectiveness, this sacrifice had brought perfection forever to the saints. The word “sanctified” gives the impression that the sanctification had already been completed. However, this sentence translated by the NIV is best. It says, “By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” This suggests that the sanctification is still on-going while the work of justification is already completed.

Before the New Covenant was enacted, it was already anticipated in the Old Covenant. This was clearly evident as the author quoted part of Jeremiah 31:31-34 to substantiate this fact. The Holy Spirit had testified through Jeremiah and continued to testify of the adequacy of the New Covenant. The final forgiveness provided in the New Covenant marked the end of sacrifices for sin. In this New Covenant enacted by Christ once for all, God had erased from His memory the sins of His people permanently. This seems to contradict the fact that God is omniscient. Does it? The fact simply means that while God knows everything, He does not hold the sin against the sinner whom He has forgiven.  

Our transformation takes effect because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Through it we are assured that our sins are forgiven. Hence, we are assured of our freedom from the tyranny of guilt. As we remember the cost of what took us from the pit to be near God’s throne, it gives us great incentive to live holy lives for His glory.

We will draw near to You.

Jesus we hear You calling

There is no fear here in your perfect love

We will draw near to You.

Knowing that as we do

You will draw near, You will draw near to us