Hebrews 10:26-31

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

DELIBERATE SINNING.

This speaks of someone who has receive the ‘knowledge of the truth.’ That is, they have heard and understood the truth about Christ and His perfect sacrifice at the cross. Yet, they willingly and continually reject it.

“It has nothing to do with backsliders in our common use of that term. A man may be overtaken in a fault, or he may deliberately go into sin, and yet neither renounce the Gospel, nor deny the Lord that bought him. His case is dreary and dangerous, but it is not hopeless.” (Clarke)

Since they had rejected the only sacrifice for sins, there remains no other sacrifice for sins. Then, what are the implications about their willful rejection?

Firstly, they ‘trampled the Son of God underfoot.’ They disgraced and devalued Him by devaluing what He did.

Secondly, they ‘profaned the blood of the covenant as ordinary.’ They considered Jesus’ blood of no greater importance. There, it is no different than the countless animals’ blood sacrificed under the Old Covenant.

Third and last, it ‘outraged the Spirit of grace.’ They insulted or offended the Holy Spirit, whose purpose it is to present Jesus and glorify His work to us. John says, ‘He [the Holy Spirit] will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.’ [John 16:8-10]

To such people, God won’t hesitate to judge. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. If rejection to the law of Moses is a sore punishment, how much more to those who has resisted His love, refused His salvation, despised the Spirit’s promptings. Thus, His judgment is commensurate to their rejection to His mercy.

Today, my friends, let’s heed to God’s warnings in Psa 95:7-11, that is;

“Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,

as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

9 when your fathers put me to the test

and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

10 For forty years I loathed that generation

and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,

and they have not known my ways.”

11 Therefore I swore in my wrath,

“They shall not enter my rest.”

‘Should God’s grace is deliberately rejected, it may result to a heart hardened.’

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Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

LET'S ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

Nowadays, most are hurting and volatile emotionally. We notice this through postings at social media, wherein bashing and shaming others are rampant. As Jesus has said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, their mouth speaks.” [Matt 15:19]. Most probably, this is the way they can vent their disappointments and frustrations in life. On the other hand, we see a lot of edifying posts, too. For this we are thankful. May their number will grow.

As His children, we are enjoined to encourage one another. This can’t be as simple as we might think. We must ‘consider how’ to stir up others to love and works. It runs against the grain of our selfish ego. To stir a strife seems so natural but it takes a lot of effort to stir others to love and good works, isn’t it?

Thus, Paul has said, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [ Phil 2:3,4]

Today, let’s think and be watchful to our words and actions. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” [ Eph 4:29]

Moreover, let’s not forsake our assembling together. Our fellowship, though not possible physically today, may be done through virtual platforms. Be sure you have a community for prayer support and encouragement in this Covid19 lockdown season.

Our motivation is the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. Failure to see His soon return may cause us to be spiritually lethargic. Our time is too short to engage in non-sensical arguments, isn’t it? An awareness to His soon return should cause us to feel the urgency in encouraging one another to be faithful in the Lord.

When most people today are hurting due to Covid-19, as believers, let's find ways to be an encouragement.

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Hebrews 10:19-23 

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.

DRAW NEAR WITH COURAGE.

Our confidence before the Lord is a gift. A sinful man should tremble before Him . But, God has provided us the source of confidence, namely; He opened a new and living way by opening the curtain for us. When His flesh was torn at the cross, the curtain at the temple was torn into half as well. Also, since we received Jesus, He became our Great High Priest, [over the house of God]. And, He is a compassionate High priest. [see Heb. 4:15,16]

Thus, ‘let us draw near’ unto Him. God’s grace and mercy attract us to Him. It’s not that we have the merits [ good works and achievements] to proudly go to Him.

In what ways?

By the truthfulness of our heart, we go without hypocrisy. Let’s not doubt as to our acceptance when coming to God by the blood of Christ. And, Christ's blood purifies our hearts and consciences as well as our body. A loyal response to Christ is the logical correlate of the magnitude of Christ’s redemptive accomplishment.

As Paul implored us, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” [Rom 12:1,2]

There is no reluctance or fear to submit our all to God who has showered us with His gospel mercies, isn’t it? The result of which is knowing the will of God. That is, the Lord will reveal His will only to those who are surrendered to Him.

There is no fear of shame to approach our God who is not ashamed to sacrifice for us.

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Hebrews 10:1-10 ESV

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.

BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.

The inadequacy of the Old Covenant: repeated sacrifices were necessary ( Hebrews 10:1-4). While, he one sacrifice of Christ: supersedes the repeated sacrifices ( Hebrews 10:5-10)

The keywords of this chapter are year by year and day by day as contrasted with continually and forever. Repetition means imperfection. The ancient offerers of sacrifice could never be sure that they were finally accepted. Each year they had to go over the odd ground. How different from us, who have heard Jesus say, “It is finished”!- F.B. Meyer

The spirit of inspiration offers to us the secret of our Savior’s work in His voluntary identification with the divine purposes. It was not so much His outward anguish and blood-shedding that made reconciliation possible, as His cry, ‘Not my will, my Father, but thine.’ His attitude reminds us of the ancient custom of boring fast to the door the ear of the servant, who desired never again to leave His master’s service.

"The psalmist's words, "Lo, I am come to do thy will, O God," sum up the whole tenor of our Lord's life and ministry, and express the essence of that true sacrifice which God desires. The passage he quoted first ( Psalm 40:6-8) expresses Messiah's commitment to offer His body as a sacrifice to God (at His first advent) because animal sacrifices of all types were inadequate. God's will was the perfection (i.e, thorough cleansing) of believers. Jesus was not some dumb animal that offered its life unthinkingly. He consciously and deliberately offered His life in obedience to God's will.

His victory cry, "It is finished" at Calvary was an echo to His obedient prayer, "Not my will but Thine." at Gethsemane.

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Hebrews 9:23-28 ESV

23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

A SACRIFICE ONCE FOR ALL.

After the fall, death happens to all. [Rom 5:12]. It’s a consequence to man’s disobedience.[Rom 6:23] And as such, it’s certain and inevitable destiny of man. Simply stated, we are born to die. It’s an appointment as one inside a waiting lounge waiting for his name to be called.

Today, Covid19 may infect the most vulnerable physically but the most healthy may come out scathe free. However, sin that causes death is ingrained in our DNA. In other words, we are all in bondage to this problem within us. Man’s steps, since his conception, do lead him to the grave, don’t they?

Thus, Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many. As the Critical Commentary has explained, “He did not need to die again and again for each individual, or each successive generation; for He represents all of every age, and therefore once for all exhausted the penalty incurred by all. He was offered by the Father, His own "eternal Spirit" (Hebrews 9:14) concurring; as Abraham spared not Isaac, but offered him, the son unresistingly submitting to the father's will. (Genesis 22:1-24)”

When Jesus was lifted up at the cross, He carried our sins along with Him. The great exchange had happened. The righteous became unrighteous so that the unrighteous be declared righteous before God. [ see 2 Cor 5:21] The giver of life has died so the dead like us can live.

Thus death, though inevitable isn’t solvable. Christ had died once for all to defeat sin, death and hell. However, He will come again [second time] to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. He is coming again to usher His own to His glory. Thus, we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” [Titus 2:13], are we not?

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Hebrews 9:15-22 ESV

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

During the time of Moses, he saw to it that he obeyed the commandment of the law. For, under the law almost everything is purified with blood. Thus, he conscientiously ‘took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.’ [v.20-21]

We should note that this quote, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you’ is from Ex 24:8. There is a change accorded with Christ's introduction of the New Testament, recorded in Luke 22:20, "This cup (is) the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you." It is the only Gospel in which the "is" has to be supplied, as here.

Thus, Christ has sealed the new covenant with His blood. The Lord's supper is the sacramental sign. In certain respect the covenants God made with humankind are similar to wills. With all wills, the person who made the will must die before the beneficiaries experience any effects of the will. The testator [one who makes the will] was represented by the animals slain in the old dispensation [ from Adam to Christ]. In both dispensations the inheritance was bequeathed: In the old, it’s by Christ but being typically present. However, in the new, Christ has come in person and died. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

Therefore, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Jesus’ death, that is His blood shed, is the only and final means of redemption for you and me.

“The blood that Jesus shed for me.” By Andrae Crouch

The blood that Jesus shed for me

Way back on Calvary

The blood that gives me strength

From day to day

It will never lose its power

It reaches to the highest mountain

It flows to the lowest valley

The blood that gives me strength

From day to day

It will never lose its power

It soothes my doubts and calms my fears

And it dries all my tears

The blood that gives me strength

From day to day

It will never lose its power

It reaches to the highest mountain

It flows to the lowest valley

The blood that gives me strength

From day to day

It will never lose its power

Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

REDEMPTION THROUGH CHRIST’S BLOOD.

Christ did appear as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation). That is, Christ is a High priest to that which are eternal. And, instead of entering the Holy of holies yearly as the High priest, He passed through heaven into the inner abode of the unapproachable God once for all (see Hebrews 4:14)

He did it not by the blood of animals but by His own blood. He is both the High priest and sacrifice. Thus, it was perfect and complete securing everyone of us an eternal redemption. A feat that animal’s blood could never possibly accomplished.

According to the law, there is remission or purification through the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer. However, these are all temporary. This picture was initiated by God indirectly after the fall. “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”[Gen 3:21] Hence, the shame of man was covered by the skins of killed animals. The blood of these animals had to be shed in order for them to have their shame [guilt] covered.

His blood is the only means of reconciliation between man and God. As Paul had said, “and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” [Col 1:20] A perfect and satisfactory sacrifice means nothing else is needed. ‘We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.’[Eph 1:7] As an act of grace, he offered Himself through the eternal Spirit.

We are purchased by His blood, are we not? [Acts 20:28] How should we then live? If we are not on our own because He had purchased us, then, let us glorify God in our lives. [1 Cor 6:19,20] It’s a ridiculous thought that those who are cleansed still love to wallow in the mud.

Consequently, this had purified our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Until we received His redemption, we couldn’t be able to serve God aright, could we? Redemption is the proper motivation of true service. Prior to our redemption our acts of service are ‘dead works’. Performing good works coming from undegenerated hearts never could provide righteousness. In fact, ‘all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”[Isa 64:6]

Before the eyes of God, the only acceptable deeds are done by the hands of those with redeemed hearts.

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Hebrews 9:1-10

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

THE TORN CURTAIN.

The inside of the tabernacle [earthly sanctuary] is divided into two sections; namely, the Holy Place and the Most Holy place. The Holy place section, which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. was where the priests could go regularly to perform their regular duties. However, in the Most Holy place [Holy of holies], where the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant lie, the High priest only can go inside once a year after a purification ceremony for his sin. These two sections were separated by a curtain or veil, from top to bottom.

What is the significance of this?

Thus, the writer has explained that “The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. [v.9,10 NIV] Simply put, the curtain has to be removed. When?

This happened during the death of Christ at the cross. “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.’[Matt 27:50,51].

God has torn the veil by Himself through the Lord Jesus death or sacrifice. He has had removed the separation between man and Himself completely. The veil at the temple was decimated as Jesus crushed sin at the cross. Sin separates us rom God [Isa 59:2] but Jesus’ perfect sacrifice had brought us back to Himself. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” [1 Pet 3:18]

Why do people still insist on following the rituals and sacrifices of their religion? That which ‘cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.’ Perhaps, many are ignorant to the truth. Others, may just have been blinded by tradition.

Thus, today, ‘Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’[Heb 4:16] Sin had separated us to God like a curtain. But, Jesus had torn it bringing us back to Him.

Hebrews 8:7-13 ESV

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

8 For he finds fault with them when he says:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,

when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel

and with the house of Judah,

9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers

on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

For they did not continue in my covenant,

and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws into their minds,

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor

and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’

for they shall all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,

and I will remember their sins no more.”

13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

A NEW COVENANT.

The imperfections of the Old Covenant has necessitated the introduction of the New Covenant. It’s not an improvement of the old one but God’s initiative to fulfill His will for man’s relationship with Him.

Under the old covenant, God has established a conditional or bilateral agreement with man. But, man had failed by rebelling against God. And so, He also established the way to atone for sin through the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Thus, the Levitical priesthood was formed to perform these sacrifices. But “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4)

In this new covenant [see Jer 31:31ff], God had made it unconditional. In it the Lord speaks alone in words of sovereign grace – “I will.” It is the same what the Lord had promised to the nation of Israel through the prophet, Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:1-38). And this grace covenant awaits its fulfillment for that nation in the future. For, it is grounded in the perfect sacrifice of Christ[John 19:30]. And, His blood cleanses us from all our sins. [1 John 1:7]

Thus, God has said;

“ I will put my laws into their minds,

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.’

This covenant however is encompassing. It includes everyone, Jews and Gentiles comprising the ‘commonwealth of Israel’ by faith. Paul said, “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” [Eph 2:12,13]

Then, it is possible then for everyone to know God. In what way? It's by the Spirit. And as John Calvin said, “it is the work of the Spirit of God to illuminate our minds, so that we may know what the will of God is, and also to bend our hearts to obedience. For the right knowledge of God is a wisdom which far surpasses the comprehension of man’s understanding; therefore, to attain it no one is able except through the secret revelation of the Spirit. Thus, God’s grace would be poured on all ranks of men, so that no class would be without it.”

Thus, the new covenant makes the old covenant obsolete.