The Power of Christ’s Sacrifice (Hebrews 10 vv. 19–39)

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled 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. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

I. An Appeal to Experience Christ’s Power (vv. 19–25)

A. All believers can come to God’s presence. This privilege is no longer limited to the priesthood.

We have the boldness to enter into the holiest place because Jesus has opened for us a new and living way. He serves as our great priest to encourage us to enter God’s presence. Christ’s way to the Father is new because he opened it by his death.

The resurrection of the sacrificed One has made the way living, or effective and enduring. This stands in contrast with the weak, ineffective rituals of the priests with slain animals who remained dead. We don’t walk up to God in halfhearted weakness but with the power of the risen, living Christ.

B. We can now approach God and have the mercy and grace of our High Priest standing over us. This blessing brings us many privileges.

For believers to draw near to God in an expression of personal devotion. Four conditions for approaching God are given.First, we are to come with a sincere heart. This calls for genuine devotion rather than hypocrisy.

Second, we are to come in full assurance of faith. This demands a bold confidence that God has provided full access to his presence through Christ alone.

Third, we are to have our hearts sprinkled … from a guilty conscience. This demands constant confession of our sins and openness to God. Finally we are to have our bodies washed with pure water. This may be a reference to baptism as an outward commitment to Christ, or it might be symbolic as is the previous reference to hearts sprinkled with blood. If it is symbolic, the hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience would picture our salvation, and our bodies washed would symbolize a righteous lifestyle. In this new state of purity made possible by Jesus, believers can come boldly to God and claim his grace and mercy.

C. As Christians we have a corporate responsibility. We must concentrate on the needs of others and not on our individual salvation only.

We can spur people toward either good or bad works. Hebrews calls us to lead others to a practical expression of love and an attractive display of unselfish deeds. To spur other believers forward in the Christian life, followers of Christ must meet together.

Christians who meet together with the aim of promoting godliness and love for one another can be remarkably successful in their ventures. Regular fellowship with believers is an essential ingredient in Christian growth.

II. A Warning to Avoid God’s Judgment (vv. 26–31)

A. The sin against which these believers were warned involved a deliberate rejection of the truth of the gospel.

Some were apparently considering leaving Christ to return to Judaism to avoid persecution.

Anyone who rejected the sacrifice of Christ for sins would not find any other means of handling sin. Some of the readers of Hebrews were in danger of spurning the only way God had provided to remove sin. Thus the warning that they would find no other path to God open.

B. If they abandoned Christ, they would face only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire.

More serious still was the judgment of someone who has trampled the Son of God under foot. This was a condition much worse than violating the Mosaic Law.

To treat as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant involved despising Christ’s work. To insult the Spirit of grace involved an arrogant rejection of the truth which the Holy Spirit tried to communicate about Jesus.

These phrases contain a warning to professing believers who were threatening to turn against Christ. Any who turned from Christ could expect divine judgment and eternal rejection.

III. A Commendation to All Who Persevere (vv. 32–39)

A. They had refused to compromise when they faced persecution for their faith.

Sometimes they had become publicly exposed to insult and persecution. They had endured scorn and threats from crowds. Sometimes they stood side by side with friends who were insulted and abused. They suffered because of their association with others. They found it a privilege to share in the sufferings of others.

Facing hardship involves two matters. First, they had sympathized with those in prison. It was common in those days for Christians to receive imprisonment for their commitment to Christ. Second, the readers had experienced the loss of their property. They took the loss with joy. They were so convinced of the truth of Christianity that they submitted joyfully to the loss of their possessions.

B. Staying power comes through learning to trust God in trials.

Two events would happen if these believers showed staying power. First, they would do the will of God. Second, they would receive the benefit of God’s promises.

Mature Christians have learned that God’s strength will take them through adversity. They trust that God will provide them his glorious promises because he is dependable and trustworthy.

Conclusion:

This chapter of Hebrews closes with an expression of blazing confidence. These believers were not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. The stern warnings were an effort to prod the readers of Hebrews to faithful commitment.