I've been reading through the book of Hebrews and again find myself at Hebrews 10:26. For many, this is a very tough passage to dissect. Although there are many smart commentators out there, if you're looking for a simple approach to understanding these verses, you've come to the right place (simple is about as much as my brain can muster). The author of Hebrews, speaking to an apparent Jewish audience mixed with believers and unbelievers alike, articulates some awesome insight around the new covenant vs. the old and specifically in this chapter, one sacrifice (of Christ) vs. many sacrifices (as performed by the Levitical priests). I love the following verses:
“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Heb 10:10-14 NAS95S)
I believe the author is leveraging the "old system (Heb 10:1)" of Jewish laws and sacrifices to explain the reality of Christ and His grace. For some believers in the crowd, the author is replacing some of the old thinking with new truth. For the unbelievers in the crowd, the author is providing the big picture and persuading them to come to faith in Christ. The author sums up to this point that “where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.” (Heb 10:18 NAS95S). Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross is a once and done deal...there are no more offerings necessary to deal with the sin issue (Jesus is the reality and fulfillment of the old system of sacrifices and law). Next, the author appeals to the non-believers in the audience with some additional application of course for those who know Christ. I believe Hebrews 10:19-25 is part invitation to accept Christ and part exhortation to keep the faith. He encourages the non-believers to come in "through the veil" with "full assurance of faith" for the cleansing of their soul (pointing to the ceremonial washings and sprinkling of blood). I read this as "come on in to forgiveness and new life by grace through faith in Christ"...a Jew would never think to go behind the curtain to the holy of holies but now that veil has been torn through the death of Christ with an invitation for all to enter in. The author further exhorts all to hold fast their faith without wavering during the difficult times ahead because God is faithful no matter what happens; he also reminds them to encourage one another and not forsake meeting together. What a great invitation and encouraging message, but the reality is there are many who will not believe.
For those who choose not to believe ("sinning willfully" as described in Heb 10:26) and come "through the veil" (i.e., via the sacrifice of Christ) after hearing and receiving the truth in various forms (written and oral), "there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES (Hebrews 10:26-27 NAS95S)." If you are "in Christ" you are NOT God's adversary...on the contrary, you are sanctified and forgiven (I do not see this at all as a believer who went AWOL back to their former life...we're talking someone who, after hearing the truth, simply rejects Christ's offer of forgiveness and life)! If you reject the truth and sacrifice of Jesus at the cross, there's no other way to deal with your sin. The author further clarifies in Hebrews 10:28-31with a comparison of the severity of breaking the law of Moses as determined by two or three witnesses verses one "who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace." The person in question here has "regarded as unclean [or common, ineffective] the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified" and in rejecting Christ, "insulted the Spirit of grace" (Hebrews 10:29 NASB95S)". Breaking the Law of Moses was bad, but rejecting the offer of grace and forgiveness in Christ has eternal consequences.
Well, I'll stop at this point...I'm sure many of you have some great additional insights other than what I've shared above. I hope you found it helpful as you study this important chapter of the Bible. Talk with you soon.
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