THE SUPERIOR SACRIFICE

INTRODUCTION

In showing the superiority of the New Covenant, we have seen the author discuss...

The better promises - Heb 8:7-13

The better sanctuary - Heb 9:1-28

The author now reaches a climax in his discussion with a look at “the better sacrifice”...

Not that he hasn’t already made mention of it - for he has... Heb 7:26-27; 9:11-14, 24-26

But now there is a contrast to the Old Covenant sacrifices in the clearest of terms

In this section, we will that find the author...

Brings together the main ideas he has alluded to earlier, and he will

Add a further thought not stressed before

In the first four verses of chapter ten, then, we find...

DISCUSSION

THE SUPERIOR SACRIFICE: ITS NEED

Hebrews 10:1–4 ASV 1901

1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. 2 Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year. 4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

Animal Sacrifices Did Not Provide True Remission of Sin

The Law was only a “shadow” of “the good things to come” (Heb 10:1a)

Its gifts and sacrifices were a “copy and shadow” of the heavenly things (Heb 8:4-5)

Those sacrifices symbolized what Jesus would actually do...

Hebrews 9:11–12 ASV 1901

11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:24 ASV 1901

24 For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

The “good things” (10:1) included such things as:

His better sacrifice

The better hope

The eternal redemption and the eternal inheritance

The sacrifices did not make the worshippers “perfect” (Heb 10:1b-2)

Perfect in regard to the conscience (Heb 9:9)

The repetitive nature of the sacrifices prevented this

Rather, Animal Sacrifices Provided A Reminder of Sin

Every year there was the constant reminder of sins...

Hebrews 10:3 ASV 1901

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year.

In addition to the daily and monthly sacrifices, there were the annual sacrifices on the Day of Atonement

The constant sacrifices reminded them of their sin and need for cleansing

It was not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb 10:4)

The blood of animals could not really take away sin

Their purpose was to impress upon the people their need, and to foreshadow what would one day be accomplished in Christ

The sacrifices of the Old Covenant accomplished their purpose; they served as “a shadow of the good things to come”.

Those “good things” involved the sacrifice found in the New Covenant, of which we now read...

THE SUPERIOR SACRIFICE: ITS PROVISION

Hebrews 10:5–9 ASV 1901

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me; 6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure: 7 Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God. 8 Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law), 9 then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

The provisions of the superior sacrifice was provided by God

Quoting Psalm 40:6-8, we see the attitude of Christ when He came into the world

Burnt offerings and sacrifices did not meet His Father’s ultimate desire (Heb 10:5-6)

What did meet God’s desire God provided Himself: a body (Heb 10:5)

This reminds us that propitiation for sin was provided by God, not man...

1 John 4:10 ASV 1901

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

The provisions of the superior sacrifice was offered freely by Christ

Christ came as prophesied to do the will of God (Heb 10:7-9a)

Here is a striking difference between Christ’s sacrifice and the animal sacrifices...

Animal sacrifices were offered against their will

Jesus freely offered Himself in accordance with His Father’s will...

John 6:38 ASV 1901

38 For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

The provisions of the superior sacrifice established a New Covenant

In doing the will of His Father, Jesus has taken away the first covenant (Heb 9:9b)

Colossians 2:14–17 ASV 1901

14 having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; 15 having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: 17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.

Making it possible to establish the second covenant, of which He is the mediator (Heb 9:15)

So what animal sacrifices could not accomplish, God did in the sending of His Son who freely accepted the task of offering Himself for sin.

But was His sacrifice adequate? Notice...

THE SUPERIOR SACRIFICE: ITS ALL-SUFFICIENCY

Hebrews 10:10–18 ASV 1901

10 By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: 12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also beareth witness to us; for after he hath said, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws on their heart, And upon their mind also will I write them; then saith he, 17 And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

The superior sacrifice provides true sanctification

We have been sanctified through the offering of His body (Heb 10:10)

Its sufficiency is seen in that He only had to offer it “once” (v. 10)

The repetition of the daily sacrifices illustrated their inadequacy (Heb 10:11)

But with Jesus, it was “one sacrifice for sins forever” (Heb 10:12-13)

Illustrated by His sitting down at God’ right Hand - cf. Heb 1:3; 8:1

Where He waits (and reigns - cf. 1 Cor 15:25-26; Psa 110:1-2) till all His enemies are made His footstool

Thus “by one offering” He has provided true sanctification

Hebrews 10:14 ASV 1901

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

“He has perfected forever” (doing what animal sacrifices could not - Heb 10:1)...

“those who are [being - ESV, NKJ] sanctified”

Note the present tense - sanctification is an ongoing process - Heb 2:11

In one sense we have been sanctified - cf. 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Heb 10:10,29

In another sense we will be sanctified - cf...

1 Thessalonians 5:23 ASV 1901

23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This sanctification is made possible by the one-time sacrifice of Christ - e.g., 1 Jn 1:7-9

The superior sacrifice provided true remission of sins

As the Holy Spirit bore witness through Jeremiah in Jer 31:31-34 (quoted earlier in He 8: 8-12)

Hebrews 10:15–17 ASV 1901

15 And the Holy Spirit also beareth witness to us; for after he hath said, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws on their heart, And upon their mind also will I write them; then saith he, 17 And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

With true remission of sins, there is no need for repeated sacrifices for sin -

Hebrews 10:18 ASV 1901

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

CONCLUSION

By providing complete sanctification and remission of sins, the sacrifice of Jesus is truly “The Superior Sacrifice”

Why would anyone want to return to sacrifices...

That did not make the worshiper “perfect”?

Were there is the constant reminder of sin that weighs heavy upon the conscience of man?

With the sacrifice of Himself, offered freely keeping with the will of God, Jesus provides what the Law could not!

With verse 18, we come to the end of the two main arguments in this epistle...

That Christ is superior, for He is:

Better than the prophets, as a much better Spokesman - Heb 1:1-3

Better than the angels, by virtue of His Deity and humanity - Heb 1:4-2:18

Better than Moses, for He is the Son who provides a heavenly rest - Heb 3:1-4:13

Better than Aaron, as His priesthood is a superior one - Heb 4:16-8:6

That the New Covenant is superior, for it is:

Based upon better promises - Heb 8:7-13

Based upon a better sanctuary - Heb 9:1-28

Based upon a better sacrifice - Heb 10:1-18

The purpose of the author has been to encourage his Hebrew brethren to remain true to Jesus Christ.

Though one may not be a Hebrew by race, the same arguments should encourage all Christians to remain true to Jesus and abide by the conditions of the New Covenant of which He is the Mediator