Hebrews 10 is much more than the foyer to the Hall of Faith in chapter 11. In chapter 10 we find compelling descriptions of the differences between the old covenant and the new one.
The outline theme of Hebrews 10 (based on the 'a' of SON IS MEDIATOR) is:
- A shadow of the good things to come (1-18)
- Assurance of faith (19-39)
- A shadow of the good things to come
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."
- Assurance of faith
Hebrews 10:22
"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."
The writer sets up this first main section of Hebrews 10 with the phrase 'A shadow of the good things to come' (conveniently, that's the thematic outline, too). He then goes on to discuss several things relating to the law that are the 'shadow' and contrasts them with the good things that are to come; the substance (Col 2:17).
The first, and most lengthy contrast is found in vv1-10. The sacrifices made under the law are offered continually every year, they use the blood of bulls and goats, and serve as a reminder of sins every year. The writer points out that if these sacrifices could indeed perfect the worshiper, why must they need to be offered continually? If these sacrifices worked, the worshipers should be cleansed of a conscience of sin. But it is clear that they are not. In fact, that goes against the very nature and purpose of the Law. But when Christ came, He 'does away with the first in order do establish the second' (9). Christ's sacrifice was once for all, used His own precious blood, and is able to provide for the sanctification of those who follow Him.
The second contrast is found in vv11-14. The priest of the law was required to stand daily at his service to perform his duties; offering the same sacrifices over and over. As stated above, these sacrifices cannot purify the worshiper nor take away their sins. But Christ, our High Priest, offered Himself as a sacrifice once for all and 'sat down at the right hand of God'. This one single offering is able to take away the sins of the worshiper. But the significant difference in the ministry of the priests of the law and Christ the High Priest is that Jesus sat down. Standing is a symbol of continued work; their work was never done! But because Christ's sacrifice was once for all, His work had been fully completed and He sat down. This is not because He was tired (similar to God 'resting' on the 7th day) but because the debt for sin had been paid and the way of redemption had been opened to all who believe, receive, and follow Him.
The writer's last contrast in this section has to do with a quick review of the New Covenant. The writer quotes Jeremiah 31 while reminding the readers that this new covenant will be written on the hearts and minds of the people (as opposed to the tablets and scrolls of the Old Covenant). The efficacy of the New Covenant is that God will 'remember their sins and lawless deeds no more' (17, as opposed to being reminded year after year) and that His forgiveness takes away the need for any further offering for sin (18, as opposed to sacrifices being offered year after year).
The second thematic section of Hebrews 10 begins at verse 19 and is titled 'Assurance of Faith'. The key verse in this section (and the memory verse) is verse 22. But before we get to the drawing near and the true and clean hearts and the washed bodies, the writer reminds us what had to come first. We can only enter the presence of God by the blood of Jesus (19) through the curtain (His flesh)(20) and because of His position (High Priest)(21). Notice the description of the heart here; we draw near with a true heart that is sprinkled clean. Under the New Covenant we no longer have an evil heart!
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV)Having been redeemed by the blood of Christ, He then gives us a new heart and a new spirit. He has taken away the old heart that was deceitful and sinful (Jer 17:9) and given us a good heart in which His Spirit dwells (Eph 3:16-17). This does not mean, of course, that we stop sinning. Even with a good and clean heart we still must live from our good hearts by walking in the Spirit and subduing the flesh (Gal 5:16-17). We still must battle constantly against our enemies; the flesh, the world, and the devil (Eph 2:1-3). But we now can do this by the power of Holy Spirit living in and working through our redeemed hearts.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
This power is multiplied when followers of Christ join together as the body of Christ. Here we find two occurences of the phrase 'one another' (found throughout the NT). Believers are to stir one another toward love and good works and encourage one another as Christ's return approaches. The battle against the flesh, the world, and the devil is a life-long fight. God does not want us to fight it without Him, and He does not want us to fight it with out each other.
The meaning of vv26-27 seems to have been lost in translation. The obvious difficulty one might find here is that even afer being redeemed and given a new heart, the believer still sins. So, we either have to dissect what 'sinning deliberately' means (which some people would say is ALL sin) or look to the greater context of Hebrews. Several commentators I have read will give this feel; 'If we hear the truth but reject it and do not repent, there is no other sacrifice for sins available; this is it. And at the end of rejection of the Gospel is the judgment of God'. This thought pattern seems to continue into the next example. The writer reminds the readers that under the law, anyone who rejects the law could be put to death by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Therefore, how much greater a punishment should be expected for someone who rejects the Gospel by spurning Christ, profaning the blood of the covenant and outraging the Spirit (three witnesses again)? This seems to indicate rejection of the truth and lack of true faith as opposed to an embracing of the Gospel followed by apostasy. The writer then wraps up the argument with a reminder that God is soveriegn and will judge people justly.
In one more attempt to encourage the readers, the writer reminds them of their previous sufferings for the Gospel and the hope they held through those times; hope for an eternal possession. I would summarize this as the writer saying 'hang in there! He is coming soon. Live by faith and persevere. It will be worth it!'
How does this affect my worship?
The daily/monthly/yearly offerings that were done away with by the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ were sin offerings, not offerings of praise. My praise will continue every moment I take breath. Later in Hebrews we read that we are to 'continually offer a sacrifice of praise; the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name' (13:15). As is the theme in the Psalms, we are to praise Him continually for who He is and what He has done. Of that material we can never run out.
How does this affect my discipleship?
There is no accounting for time in the discipleship process. It seems like much of the significant and lasting life-change comes at the cost of time. But if we hold firm to our confession of faith and our obedience of service, disciple-making brings change. And it's worth it. To see, and be a part of, the changed life of a Christ-follower is a truly joyful experience. Hang in there! The road is long, but it's worth it.
live by faith,
Ethan
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