The New, Effective Sacrifice

Introduction: In chapter 9 we reviewed the necessity of the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus, and here in chapter 10 we will take a look at the character of that sacrifice. First, let’s quickly take a look at the first six verses which, once again, show the ineffectiveness of of the old sacrifices.

Ineffective, Old Sacrifices

In the Old Covenant, the priests were busy all day long slaughtering and sacrificing animals. During passover week it has been estimated that the priests would sacrifice as many as three hundred thousand lambs.The bloodshed would be so great that the blood would flow out of the temple through channels into the Brook Kidron where the river would seem to be running with blood.

However, no matter how many sacrifices were made, or how often, they were ineffective in three ways.

They Could Not Bring Access to God

The great cry of every human heart is to be in the presence of God, but in the Old Testament they really had no way of getting there. None of the old ceremonies and sacrifices could ever make those who approach perfect (v. 1).

They Could Not Remove Sin

The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament could cover, but never remove, sin. but it is the removal of sin that men need. Rather they were a continual reminder of sin.

Example: ibuprofen (covering symptoms instead of the problem)

They Were Only External

The sacrifices of the Old Testament never dealt with the heart of the problem. Sin manifests itself outwardly, but its cause is always internal. It was impossible for the old sacrifices to reach inside a person and change him.

What was the point of the old sacrificial system?

The external ceremonies had an internal requirement. God was never after delicious animal meats, and it was not the aroma of the passover barbecue that God desired. Even then, God desired his people to submit to His Word and to do His will.

The person who did not sacrifice out of an honest heart of repentance and trust in the coming Messiah did not have their sin covered by bringing sacrifices.

Amos 4:4–5 NKJV

“Come to Bethel and transgress, At Gilgal multiply transgression; Bring your sacrifices every morning, Your tithes every three days. Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, Proclaim and announce the freewill offerings; For this you love, You children of Israel!” Says the Lord God.

Amos 4:4–6 NKJV

“Come to Bethel and transgress, At Gilgal multiply transgression; Bring your sacrifices every morning, Your tithes every three days. Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, Proclaim and announce the freewill offerings; For this you love, You children of Israel!” Says the Lord God. “Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities. And lack of bread in all your places; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the Lord.

God did not desire these kind of sacrifices. Sacrifices were a symbol of real faith and were never meant to be a substitute for faith. All of God’s people throughout history have been justified, not by works or sacrifice, but by faith.

There were some who viewed the sacrificial system almost as if it were magic. If you just did the right things and said the right words poof you would get the desired result.

Saul was warned by Samuel to beware of this very mindset.

1 Samuel 15:22 NKJV

So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

David, the man after God’s own heart, rightly stated the only kind of sacrifice that was truly acceptable to God.

Psalm 51:17 NKJV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

Isaiah said the same thing:

Isaiah

Isaiah 1:11 NKJV

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.

Isaiah 1:15–18 NKJV

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

When sacrifices were not done out of a right spirit, they lost even their symbolic meaning.

The Effectiveness of the New Sacrifice

Unlike the old sacrifices, the new sacrifice of Jesus is always effective and is far superior.

Christ’s Sacrifice Reflects God’s Will

Christ’s sacrifice was effective because it was always God’s will. Before the world was ever made, He knew that only the sacrifice of Christ would be effective. It was always God’s plan to prepare a body for Jesus and that that body would be the sacrifice that pleases God.

The sacrifice of Jesus was pleasing to God because Jesus perfectly did God’s will. Over and over Jesus speaks of doing the will of His Father, and Jesus’ ultimate act of obedience was to offer Himself on the cross.

John 14:31 NKJV

But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Jesus came to do the Father’s will no matter the cost.

Mark 14:36 NKJV

And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

Christ’s Sacrifice Replaces The Old System

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, God has taken away the old system in order to make room for new one.

The Jewish readers are being challenged here that they must choose which system they want to be under. Because the second sacrifice has been made, all of the sacrifices of the first system must go.

Do you think Gentiles face the same decision?

Christ’s Sacrifices Sanctifies the Believer

The new sacrifice is effective to make the believer holy. The old system had no way of making people holy. Holiness for the Christian is an accomplished fact - because of Christ we have been set apart to God.

Christ’s Sacrifice Removes Sin

Christ’s sacrifice removes sin which is something the first covenant could not do.

Note all the contrasts in verses 11-12.

Christ’s Sacrifice Destroys His Enemies

The old system did nothing to get rid of Satan, but when Jesus died on the cross he conquered all of His enemies.

First, he conquered “him who had the power of death.”

Hebrews 2:14 NKJV

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

Second, He triumphed over the fallen angels.

Colossians 2:14–15 NKJV

having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Third, He had victory over all rulers and all authorities through all the ages who have rejected God.

Colossians 2:15 NKJV

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Through His death on the cross, Jesus has made his enemies a footstool for His feet.

Christ’s Sacrifice Perfects the Saints

The new sacrifice is effective to perfect the saints forever. In this context, to perfect refers to the eternal removal of sin from the believer. We are forever totally secure in Christ.

Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills the Promise of the New Covenant

The new sacrifice was effective because it accomplished what God had promised in the New Covenant (vv.15-18).