Read Hebrews 10:11–18
Questions from the Scripture text: What kind of sacrifices does every priest repeatedly offer (Hebrews 10:11)? What can they never do? How many sacrifices did this one offer (Hebrews 10:12)? For how long is it good? Where did He sit down? What is He waiting for (Hebrews 10:13)? What has He done forever to those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14)? Who witnesses to us (Hebrews 10:15)? What did He say the Lord would make with us (Hebrews 10:16)? What would He put on our hearts? What would He write on our minds? What would He not remember anymore (Hebrews 10:17)? What does our forgiveness mean will no longer happen (Hebrews 10:18)?Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, and Confession of Sin come from Hebrews 10:11–18 in order that we will see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise.
As we see in Ephesians 1:19–2:7, one of the wonders of Christ’s ascension to the high throne of heaven is that this has occurred in human flesh, in His office as our Mediator, so that Jesus sits on heaven’s throne not merely as our Representative, but in mystical union with us.
No other priest’s sacrifice could ever take away sins (Hebrews 10:11), but His one sacrifice as our Priest has put away our sins forever (Hebrews 10:12a). And, it is as our Priest that He has also taken His royal seat at the right hand of God (verse 12b), and as our Priest that He rules while His enemies are made His footstool (Hebrews 10:13).
Yes, we are still sinners, because we are still being sanctified (cleansed, made holier in heart and conduct, Hebrews 10:14b). But even in this still-being-sanctified condition, we have been “perfected forever.” The word translated “perfected” is related to the word translated “it is finished” on the cross. The phrase means that Christ has completed, in a continual way that can never be interrupted, everything that is necessary for us.
And the apostle follows this amazing application of the significance of Christ’s ascension by quoting from the Old Testament to show that this ongoing sanctifying work (Hebrews 10:16, cf. Jeremiah 31:33) was prophesied in Scripture to occur during a time when our forgiveness had been completed (Hebrews 10:17, cf. Jeremiah 31:34).
Sometimes, as believers who are still being sanctified, we may feel overwhelmed by the power of our sin. At those times, we must remember that it is the ascended Christ who is sanctifying us, so it shall surely succeed.
Sometimes, as believers who are still being sanctified, we may feel overwhelmed with a sense of the guilt of our sin. At those times, we must remember that it is the ascended Christ who has completed all that is necessary for complete forgiveness of our sins.
And sometimes, as believers who are still being sanctified, we can grow lazy or careless about growing in holiness. May God grant unto us at those times a faith-glimpse at our ascended, reigning Priest and King, so that confidence and joy and gratitude and worship and submission would all combine to stir us up to the sanctifying work that is His current mission in our hearts and lives.
What sin are you currently struggling against? When you are discouraged (or have grown complacent) what might you do for help in the struggle?Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH371 “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”
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