It took just one sacrifice to pay for our sins. This chapter is about the finished work of Jesus Christ. We cannot add anything to our salvation. The good news is that once is enough.

1 – The rituals which preceded this sacrifice (vs. 1-4)

The Old Testament sacrifices and rituals were a shadow of good things to come. It is a pale shadow as opposed to a dark shadow. A shadow is a representation of something that is real. A shadow of a key will never unlock your front door. A shadow of Jesus Christ will never save your soul.

• They are repetitive – They had to be done year after year. They could not get down to the root of the matter. It was a promissory note that the payment would eventually be made. The fact that it is repeated means that it was not final. Once you pay off a loan you don’t keep paying for it.
• They are reminders – Every year they had to remember their sins again. Your sins were ever before you. Jesus Christ offered one sacrifice and there is no longer any remembrance of sin. You cannot be condemned. Christians have passed from death to life.

2 – The replacement which provided this sacrifice (vs. 5-9)

Jesus Christ has come into to the world to replace the shadow with the real thing. Jesus existed before his human birth in Bethlehem. Jesus is a replacement for the sacrificial system.

• It is revealed in a body (vs. 6) – The birth of Jesus Christ was a supernatural event. He was born of a virgin and not tainted with sin. He had an earthly mother but not an earthly father. His mission was to use that body as a sacrifice for the world. The Devil tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross. It was the Father’s will for Jesus to go to the cross.
• It is revealed in a book (vs. 7) – The book is the Bible. The message of this book is summed up in John 3:16. It is important that we go to a Bible-believing Church. We are to tell everybody about this book. This book is powerful.

3 – The results that perfected this sacrifice (vs. 10-18)

There are two things:-

• The work of the Saviour (vs. 10-14) – We have been sanctified. We are set apart or made holy. It was that one sacrifice that sanctified those who believe. This is why Christians were called “saints”. We are not free keep on sinning. Christ has conquered his enemies. Jesus had defeated death, sin and the Devil. Jesus is waiting to put his foot on the neck of his enemies. Every knee will bow before the King of Kings. Through this one offering our salvation has been perfected forever.
• The witness of the Spirit (vs. 15-18) – The Holy Spirit makes it all real to us. He writes it in our hearts. It has to be more than head knowledge. We need a salvation that we can feel deep down in our hearts. The Lord does not even remember our past sins any more. You can ask God about it and He won’t know what you are talking about! God has set us free. Once IS enough

Categories: Hebrews