The Book of Hebrews: A Remedy and a Reassurance

Hebrews 10:1-18

[1] 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. (ESV)

I. THE OLD SACRIFICES PROVIDE A REMINDER (vs.1-4)

Hebrews 10:1 – “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.”

Hebrews 10:2-3 – “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.”

Hebrews 10:4 – “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Ps. 51:3-4

Ps. 51:16-17

II. THE SON PROVIDES A REMEDY (vs.5-14)

Hebrews 10:5-7 – “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.’”

Hebrews 10:8-10 – “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.”

1. The first covenant is done away with, and the second covenant is established.
2. We were provided a permanent remedy for our sin.

Hebrews 10:11-14 – “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.”

III. THE SPIRIT PROVIDES REASSURANCE (vs.15-18)

Hebrews 10:15 – “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us.”

“Bears witness,” Gk. μαρτυρέω (martyreō) >“martyr”

The Spirit Testifies Two Things

1. He testifies that God has changed our relationship with sin (v. 16)

Hebrews 10:15-16 – “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.”

You may have a new relationship with God, but do you have a new relationship with sin?

The Spirit Testifies Two Things

1. He testifies that God has changed our relationship with sin (v. 16)
2. He testifies that God has changed our relationship with himself (vv. 17–18)

Hebrews 10:17-18 – “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.”

Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”