The Christology of Hebrews 10:The Once-for-All Sacrifice

From the diary of a faithful scribbler, this far the Christology of Hebrews has been exciting. In Ch. 9, the author made emphasis on the superiority and efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. The Christology of Hebrews 10 stresses on the character of the Once-for-All sacrifice and an invitation to persevere in faith.

Contrast between the shadow and the substance for the shadow, v. 1-4

Ø  The Old Covenant (law) is a shadow of the good things to come. Shadow in this case means the solid reality is not in the Levitical sacrificial system but in Christ.

Ø  Because the Old Covenant was a shadow, its sacrificial system could not deal efficiently with sin, v.1a.

Ø  Because the Old Covenant was a shadow, the Levitical sacrifices could not bring the worshippers to permanent perfection, v.1b.

Ø  The continuity of Levitical sacrifices year after year witness to their ineffectiveness, v.2. The author’s rhetorical questions stress that had the sacrifices dealt with sins, the worshippers would have been cleansed and there’d be no need for repeating the sacrifices, Ch. 9:9; 10:2.  I came across this quote, “The atonement that requires constant repetition does not really atone; a conscience that has to be atoned once a year has never been truly cleansed.” What a sobering challenge!

Ø  The annual sacrifice (Day of Atonement) reminded people of the problem of sin, unfortunately, the sacrifices were ineffective because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, v.3-4.

Scripture prove that animal sacrifices could not take away the sins of the world, v. 5-18

Ø  Because the Levitical sacrifices were ineffective in dealing with sin, a better provision had to be made, v. 5-7. Here, Jesus declared the insufficient character of Old Covenant sacrifice and declared His willingness to offer a perfect sacrifice under the New Covenant.

Ø  Undoubtedly, we can say that animal sacrifices did not avail much but God’s will had its ultimate fulfilment in Christ’s obedience to die on the cross.

Ø  It is true that the sacrifices were commanded by God and were offered in accordance with His law but they were not the final answer to the problem of sin, v. 8. So, what does this once-for-all sacrifice mean for you and me? It means that we have been made holy by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in accordance to God’s will, v.9-10.

The finished work of Jesus, v. 11-18

Ø  First, the author affirms that priests cannot deal with the problem of sin, despite all their daily priestly activities, v. 11.

Ø  Second, Jesus finished work is contrasted to that of priests. While the priests daily and repeatedly offered sacrifices, Christ offered one sacrifice for sin, v. 12.

Ø  Third, day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties but Christ sat down having made a final sacrifice for sin, v. 12b.

Ø  Fourth, having finished His work, Jesus sat at the right hand of God. The place of highest honour, v. 12c.

Ø  Fifth, having accomplished His work, the Lord now waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, v.13.

Ø  Sixth, Jesus is capable of making people holy and set them apart for God’s service, v. 14.

Ø  Seven, the Holy Spirit testifies that Christ established the transforming New covenant which offers complete forgiveness, v. 15-17.

Ø  Eighth, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary because Christ’s offering has dealt with sin once and for all, v.18

Application: A clarion call to persevere in faith, v. 19-25

Ø  On the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, let’s make uttermost use of the blessing that has been provided for us. We now have a new attitude towards God’s presence. Initially, priests could not linger in the presence of God but now on the basis of His blood we can now enter the Most Holy Place, v. 19; Ch. 4:16.

Ø  Jesus is the Way to enter through, v. 20. By Christ body being torn on the cross, the way to God was opened up. 

Ø  Since we have a great high priest, here are some important exhortations, v. 21:

o   Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings (trust in Jesus) and cleansed within by His shed blood, v. 22.

o   Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful, v. 23; 3:6, 14; 4:14. This hope is the anchor to the soul, 6:19. When God makes a promise it will infallibly be kept.

o   And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, but encouraging one another, v. 24-25.

The Sequel of a willful rejection of Jesus' perfect sacrifice for us, 10:26-39

Ø  Having been acquainted with Christian teaching as absolute truth then rejecting Christ’s sacrifice; failing to respond to God’s saving sacrifice attracts dreadful expectation of judgment-raging fire, v. 26-27.

Ø  To reject the sacrifice of Jesus is to trample the Son of God under foot; it’s to treat the death of Jesus as common; it’s to insult the Spirit of grace, v.29.

Ø  Certainly, God will act against people who reject His saving sacrifice, v. 30-31.

Draw on your past experience to gain strength to endure for the future, v. 32-39

Ø  The author invites his audience to contemplate the days they became Christians. It had resulted in some form of persecution-verbal attacks, ignominy, confiscation of property, and other various kinds of persecution, v. 32-34. But they endured with fortitude and joy because they knew the value of their possession in Christ, v. 35.

Ø  The Christology of Hebrews 10 closes with an appeal not to shrink back and/or discard this valuable possession. What you endure for Christ’s sake entitles you a great reward. Let this ringing affirmation of confidence motivate you to persevere in faith, “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved,” v. 39.  The end result of shrinking back is total loss on the other hand persevering in faith brings salvation.

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae