In Heb 10:1-25, Paul writes that Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice for sins for ever.  There is no need for any other sacrifice for sins.

The Imperfect Old Testament Sacrifices, 10:1-4

Under the law, which was a shadow of good things to come, the priests offered sacrifices year by year continually.  And those sacrifices would not make the comers thereunto perfect.  If they had, the sacrifices would have ceased to be offered.

Paul cites three problems with the Old Testament sacrifices:

• The conscience of the worshippers was not purged.
• There was an annual remembrance of sins.
• The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sins.

The Removal of the Old Testament Sacrifices to Establish the New Testament Sacrifice, 10:5-9

When Jesus came into the world and died on the cross, he fulfilled the prophecy of Ps 40:6-8.  Through the sacrifice of his body, he ended the Old Testament sacrifices and offerings for sins.  God was not pleased with those sacrifices, Is 1:11-15.

God prepared a body for Jesus, Lk 1:35, Jn 1:14.  In his flesh, Jesus served his Father willingly, as a manservant would offer himself to his master.  The opening of his ears in Ps 40:6 is the accomplishment of Ex 21:6.  He offered himself to do God’s will. 

By bearing our sins in his own body on the tree, 1 Pet 2:24, Jesus took away the “first” covenant (Old Testament) to establish the “second” covenant (New Testament).

The Perfect New Testament Sacrifice, 10:10-14

We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, Rom 6:10, 5:17-19.  Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for ever.  And by his one offering, he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

By contrast, the same sacrifices that the priests offer daily can never take away sins, Heb 7:27.  It is absolutely fruitless for any priest to offer sacrifices of any kind today.  The Roman Catholic Eucharist is a perfect example of a fruitless sacrifice and offering.

After Jesus offered himself, he sat down on the right hand of God, Heb 1:3.  He sat down because his work is finished.  He’s at the right hand of God because he has been exalted following his humility, Phil 2:8-11.  From there, Jesus expects his enemies to be made his footstool because of the prophecy in Ps 110:1.

The Remission of Sins, 10:15-18

Where remission of sins is, there is no more offering for sin, because of the covenant that God made with Israel in Jer 31:31-34.  In that covenant, God promised that he would not remember their sins and iniquities.  The Holy Ghost witnesses to the Hebrews that he will not remember their sins when he saves them, Rom 11:25-27.

The New and Living Way into the Holiest, 10:19-21

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was rent in twain, Matt 27:51.  By the blood of Jesus, rather than the blood of bulls and goats, we now have boldness to enter the holiest, rather than the most holy of the earthly tabernacle.  The veil has been replaced by Jesus’s flesh and we now have a new and living way to enter.  He is the high priest over the house of God.

The Three Imperatives, 10:22-25

Let Us Draw Near, 10:22.  The first imperative is to draw near to God.  And they can draw near in full assurance of faith because their hearts are purged from an evil conscience with Christ’s blood, Heb 9:14, and their bodies are washed with the pure water of the word of God, Eph 5:26-27, Jn 15:3.

Let Us Hold Fast Our Profession, 10:23.  The second imperative is to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering, because they can count on the faithfulness of his promises.  They must hold fast to keep from losing their salvation.

Let Us Consider One Another, 10:24-25.  They are to provoke each other to love, to do good works, to assemble, and to exhort one another.

Conclusion: Jesus’s shed blood provided the perfect sacrifice for the remission of sins and our bold access to God.

To study the prior lesson, see The More Perfect Tabernacle. To study the next lesson, see, Tribulation Saints Who Sin Willfully.