Jesus’ Perfect Sacrifice
Read Hebrews 7:27 and Hebrews 10:10. How is Jesus’ sacrifice
described in these passages?
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The Levitical priests—who were “many in number, because they
were prevented by death from continuing in office” (Heb. 7:23, ESV)—
are contrasted with Jesus, who lives forever and has an eternal priest-
hood (Heb. 7:24, 25). Levitical priests “daily” (Heb. 7:27) and “every
year” (Heb. 9:25) offered gifts and sacrifices “that cannot perfect the
conscience of the worshiper” (Heb. 9:9, ESV; Heb. 10:1–4).
Jesus, however, offered Himself “once for all” a “single sacrifice”
(Heb. 10:10, 12–14, ESV) that cleanses our consciences (Heb. 9:14,
Heb. 10:1–10) and puts away sin (Heb. 9:26). Jesus’ sacrifice is supe-
rior to the sacrifice of animals because Jesus was the Son of God (Heb.
7:26–28), who perfectly fulfilled God’s will (Heb. 10:5–10).
The description of the sacrifice of Jesus as having occurred “once for
all” has several important implications.
First, Jesus’ sacrifice is perfectly effective and never to be surpassed.
The sacrifices of the Levitical priests were repeated because they were
not effective; otherwise “would they not have ceased to be offered,
since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have
any consciousness of sins?” (Heb. 10:2, ESV).
Second, all the different kinds of sacrifices of the Old Testament
found their fulfillment at the cross. Thus, Jesus not only cleanses
us from sin (Heb. 9:14), but He also provides sanctification (Heb.
10:10–14) by putting sin away from our lives (Heb. 9:26). Before the
priests could approach God in the sanctuary and minister in behalf of
their fellow human beings, they had to be cleansed and sanctified, or
consecrated (Leviticus 8, Leviticus 9). Jesus’ sacrifice cleanses us and
consecrates us (Heb. 10:10–14) so that we may approach God with
confidence (Heb. 10:19–23) and serve Him as “a royal priesthood”
(Heb. 9:14, 1 Pet. 2:9).
Finally, Jesus’ sacrifice also provides nourishment for our spiritual
life. It provides an example that we need to observe and follow. Thus,
Hebrews invites us to fix our eyes upon Jesus, especially the events of
the cross, and follow His lead (Heb. 12:1–4; Heb. 13:12, 13).
The Cross is the basis for all the benefits that God bestows upon
us. It provides purification from sin, sanctification to serve, and
nourishment to grow. How can we better experience what we
have been given in Jesus?