Once For All!
What is something you wish you could do one time and be done with it? In Hebrews 9:23–10:4, 11–14, 19–25, the writer reveals that God provided a “shadow” of heavenly things in earthly copies he gave to Israel, to teach them about His holiness. The temple, animal sacrifices, the law were all rough copies of heavenly things. Most importantly, Hebrews’ writer points out that animal sacrifices were meant to foreshadow Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross. Christ’s perfect sacrifice was superior to the animal sacrifices that the Levitical priests had to make over and over because it didn’t just temporarily cover over our sin (as the animal sacrifices did), but it removed our sin debt once for all. And that not only freed us forever from the penalty of sin, it gave us the opportunity to confidently access God’s presence. I pray that we truly understand the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice and never forget the great price he paid for our eternal salvation. Amen
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:23-28)
The writer of Hebrews asserted that the earthly temple was only a copy of the real temple that is in heaven. And the real thing is superior to the copy in every way. In the same way, he asserted that Jesus’ sacrifice was superior to the sacrifices of bulls and goats that the Levitical priests were required to make repeatedly as atonement for Israel’s sins. Jesus’ sacrifice was superior because of the fact that Jesus was without sin and thus a perfect sacrifice. And the significance of that fact is that, by being a perfect sacrifice, Jesus’ sacrifice removed our sins once for all. Therefore, there was no need for Him to repeatedly sacrifice Himself, unlike the sacrifices of bulls and goats made by the Levitical priests. The sacrifices they made only covered over sin and had to be made over and over. When Christ returns, it will not be to sacrifice Himself again, but to consummate our salvation (i.e. complete the salvation of those who are waiting for Him).
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (Hebrews 10:1-4)
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (Hebrews 10:11-14)
The law of Moses was never intended to save us. It’s function was to teach us what is sinful and what is holy. Likewise, the sacrifice and blood of bulls and goats was never intended to take away our sins, but to make us aware of the cost of sin (death) and to draw us back to repentance and worship of God. The Day of Atonement covered over Israel’s sin but it didn’t remove it (take it away). The Levitical priests therefore had to perform sacrifices year after year, and day after day. But Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect, and therefore only necessary once (once for all). Rather than continually having to make sacrifices, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes on our behalf with Him. We are those who are being made holy as we are being transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25)
The Levitical High Priest entered into the Most Holy Place once a year. And their entry into this area of the temple was always with fear and trepidation, lest if they did not fully prepare and enter the Most Holy Place in the way prescribed by God (including sprinkling the blood of animals he sacrificed for his own sins), they could die. And the High Priest was the only one who was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place. But the writer of Hebrews said that Jesus shed blook opened the way for all believers to enter into God’s presence with confidence! Because Jesus prepared the way for us, we should draw near to God with a sincere heart and the full assurance of our faith. The Levitical priests had to cleanse themselves in a ritual of consecration before entering into God’s presence in the Most Holy Place. And through Jesus’ sacrifice, we too have been made clean (holy) so that we may come into God’s presence. And we have confidence in our hope of salvation, because God has promised that those who believe in Jesus atoning sacrifice will be saved. And God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Therefore, believers should continue to meet in worship and to encourage one another to love and do good works as we look forward to Jesus coming again (“see the Day approaching”).
Once for all…. It means that the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross forever sanctified me, set me free from sin and forever gave me right standing to be able to come before God’s presence to worship Him, and ask for whatever I need. And beyond all of that, I have His promise of salvation. I don’t need an earthly priest, who has to atone for his own sins, before he can go to go to God on my behalf. Jesus’ sacrifice removed the barrier that stood between me and the blessings God has for me. And not just me, His sacrifice did the same for all who believe…. Once for all!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
