Hebrews 10:1-23 ESV – Christ’s Sacrifice Once and For All
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord:I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”
17 then he adds,
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
The Full Assurance of Faith
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean 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.
HEAR:
Tonight we recognize Maundy Thursday of the Holy Week, the night Jesus shared his last supper with the disciples in the upper room. The bread and the cup point to his broken body and shed blood that are the markers of the New Covenant in Christ. It was impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (v.4), but it is the body and blood of Christ that offered for all time a single sacrifice for our sins (vv.10-12).
Use this time to listen to the Holy Spirit and pray. Specifically think about:
Remember the broken body and the shed blood that is the New Covenant (v.16). We proclaim and remember the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Consider the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus made himself cursed and cut off (Romans 9:3) for the sake of our salvation. Praise Jesus for this (vv.5-6).
Where in your life are you denying the resurrection power of Christ? Draw near to God with a true heart in faith (v.22). Hold fast to the one that is faithful (v.23).
RESPOND:
We have confidence to enter the most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. We have a living doorway through the torn veil, which is his flesh. We now, with unveiled faces, can behold the glory of the Lord and be transformed into his image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Use this time to pray quietly to yourself or to pray for the whole room:
Thank Jesus for the access that he has given us to the Father. Pray that we would honor his wholehearted sacrifice with wholehearted devotion to him (vv.19-23).
Praise Jesus as he sits at the right hand throne of God. Pray for the Church to behold the glory of Christ, our Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice saves us from sin and death (v.12).
Pray for those in your life who do not yet know Jesus and his sacrifice. Intercede for their salvation.