40 - Hebrews 10:11-18: Christ and the New Covenant

Hebrews 10:11-18

“The priests stand day after day performing ministerial duties, offering the same sacrifices repeatedly, although they can never actually remove sins. But this Priest, after He had offered one sacrifice for sin for all eternity, took His seat at God’s right hand, from that time onward anticipating the time when all who oppose Him are made a footstool for His feet. For by His one offering, He has eternally perfected all those who are purified from sin. The Holy Spirit assures us by affirming, “This is the covenant I will make with them in those latter days, says the Lord, I will impress My laws on their hearts and engrave them upon their minds and will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.” Now, when sins have been forever forgiven and forgotten, there is no further need of sacrifices for them.”   (paraphrased)

In this passage, the author compares Jesus’ atonement with myriads of ritual offerings (vv. 11-13), declares the effectiveness of His sacrifice (v. 14), and confirms it with Scriptural proof (vv. 15-18).

vv. 11-12
“Every priest standing and ministering daily” is a brief synopsis of their monotonous rituals. The following two verses depict the strong contrasts between the old and new covenants.
           
v.11:
the same daily sacrifices        
numerous ineffective sacrifices      
a continuous and temporal ministry  
priests who stand to minister  

v. 12:
one final sacrifice
an eternally effective sacrifice
a completed and eternal ministry
a Priest seated at God’s right hand

This is the final time in his epistle the author will remind his readers of the long succession of priests who redundantly offer ineffectual sacrifices. The priests are seen as “standing,” performing the same endless cycle of responsibilities ad infinitum. There were no chairs in the tabernacle, for priests were not allowed to sit. All priestly duties must be performed while standing. The treadmill of priestly work was never finished, highlighting the fact their work did not adequately atone for sins. “Ministering” is leitourgon, from whence we derive the word “liturgy.” The servile standing posture of priests pictures their liturgical labors. This graphically depicts the imperfection of the Levitical system as contrasted with the perfection of the Messiah (v. 12).

“Take away” (perielein) means “to remove utterly and absolutely; to strip off like a garment.” Sins were never effectively “taken away,” for the conscience was not stripped of the guilt of sin. Levitical sacrifices were instituted and continuously performed to demonstrate man’s spiritual craving to be reconciled to God. Christ’s “one sacrifice” remains the final solution to the problem of sin. “This Man” is compared with the multitude of priests referenced in verse eleven.

Seven times the writer has drawn prophetic truth from Psalm 110 (1:13; 5:6; 5:10; 6:20; 7:17; 7:21; 10:12-13). This Messianic Psalm is quoted to show that both His sacrifice on earth and His seat in heaven are permanent and eternal. A seated Priest pictures a completed task (Zech. 6:13). Four times in this epistle Christ is depicted as being seated. In every instance, it is associated with His current exalted position of power and authority. He is seated as:

<> The Son of God (1:3)
<> The Great High Priest (8:1)
<> The Redeemer (10:12)
<> The Author and Finisher of faith (12:2)

Jesus prefigured His future enthronement when He sat down in the temple after reading a portion from Isaiah regarding His Messianic office (Lk. 4:18-21). After His arrest, Jesus claimed this exalted place of honor for Himself. Regarding His words as blasphemous, the high priest tore his own robe in protest (Mk. 14:62-64). But when He ascended, “He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God” (Mk. 16:19).

v. 13
Although He is seated, His posture does not suggest inactivity. The Lord’s demeanor is one of patient expectation, anticipating the day when all His enemies will be completely vanquished. Jesus’ victory is so complete His enemies will become His footstool. This concept originated with the custom of a conqueror placing his foot on the neck of a captive enemy (Josh. 10:24). One of Christ’s objectives is to put all things under His feet (I Cor. 15:25). Jesus has triumphed over all demonic powers (Col. 2:14-15 & Heb. 2:14). Sinners will cry for deliverance from “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16). The Antichrist and his cohorts will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). Eventually, even death itself will be swallowed up in Christ’s victory (I Cor. 15:26, 54).

v. 14
Jesus’ self-oblation consummated what generations of blood rituals could never accomplish. “Perfected” (teleioo) means “to bring to a state of permanent completion”. The concept of sanctification in this epistle invariably refers to the Believer’s position in Christ. Paul uses this same term to stress the need for the pursuit of holiness and moral perfection (I Cor. 1:30 & 6:11).

v. 15-16
In the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit is pictured as the One who distributes gifts and performs miracles (2:4), who inspires sacred writers (3:7; 9:8 & 10:15), who dwells in Believers (6:4), and who is the source of grace (10:29). The writer reaffirms God’s sanction of the new covenant by reminding his readers that Jeremiah’s prophecy was inspired by the Holy Spirit, (Jer. 31:31-34). The indwelling Spirit writes on “fleshy tables of the heart,” rather than upon tables of stone (Jer. 31:33 & II Cor. 3:3). “The covenant I will make with them” points to its universality. The new covenant is no longer restricted to Israel, but includes Believers in every dispensation. God’s plan of salvation was effective because it accomplished everything the prophets foretold. The atonement of Christ sets us apart for His service, for His statutes and commandments are inscribed on our hearts and minds.

v. 17-18
While God remembers His holy covenant (Lk. 1:72), he no longer remembers forgiven sins. Continuing his quote from Jeremiah, the writer summarizes the primary purpose of the new covenant. Our former sins are cast into the sea of God’s forgetfulness, never again to condemn us or plague us with guilt.

This passage completes the primary doctrinal portion of the epistle. The writer has reached one inevitable and irrefutable conclusion: because complete remission of sin has been provided through Jesus Christ, no further animal oblations are necessary. The phrase “no more offering for sin” serves as a recapitulation. Our sins are remembered no more (v. 17) because sin offerings are no longer relevant (v. 18). Believers are now free from the debt of sin and the resulting alienation from God. 

QUESTIONS: CHRIST AND THE NEW COVENANT

Hebrews 10:11-18

1. Jesus Christ:
A. offered a final sacrifice for sins
B. offered an eternally effective sacrifice
C. completed His ministry on earth
D. is seated on God’s right hand
E. all of the above

2. What duties of Levitical priests could be performed while standing?

3. According to Zechariah 6:13, what priest is seated?

4. According to Revelation 3:21, who will Believers one day be seated with?

5. Who is “this man” referred to in Hebrews10:12?

6. How many times in the book of Hebrews is Jesus seen as “seated?”
A. one
B. two
C. three
D. four
E. five

7. Write out Psalm 110:1 and discuss with your spouse the significance of this verse.

8. In the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit:
A. performs miracles and distributes gifts
B. inspires sacred Biblical writers
C. indwells Believers
D. is the source of grace
E. all of the above

9. Discuss with your mate the importance of inscribing God’s Word on your hearts through memorization. Quote to one another some of your favorite verses and explain why each one is precious to you.