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And
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. (NASB) Heb. 10:11-14 |
The
contrast here is spectacular. The Greek implies that the priests
are standing, ministering and offering constantly without interruption.
They are doing this over and over again and accomplishing nothing.
They are offering sacrifices that never really take away sins. They
are working hard and getting nowhere; but Jesus came, died, and sat
down. Wow! The priests are pictured as standing and standing, but
Jesus is sitting down. The priests were constantly ministering, but
Jesus did it once and sat down. Why can Jesus sit down?
Once
For All! Did
you notice that the Father is the One Who wanted to sanctify us -
to forgive our sins? He did - once for all! The Greek verb tense
for “perfected” in verse 10 is a perfect passive participle.
First, this means the Father, not ourselves, sanctified us. We did
not do anything. Second, it means that our sins were forgiven in
the past, our sins are still forgiven, and our sins will be forgiven
in the future. We were sanctified once for all. It is done. It is
over. Those who trust in or depend on Jesus to forgive their sins
have them forgiven forever. The
purpose of Jesus’ death was simple. It is called eternal forgiveness.
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And
the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “THIS
IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS,
SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND UPON
THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,” He then says, “AND
THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” (NASB)
Heb. 10:15-17 |
Jesus’ death
accomplished something the animal sacrifices could not do - forgiveness
forever, total forgiveness. There
are some who say that we can lose our salvation, or become apostates
after being forgiven. This is not what Hebrews says. If it is possible
that we can lose our salvation and then need our sins forgiven again,
then Jesus’ death was not good enough. The Holy Spirit makes
it clear,
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Now
where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer
any offering for sin. (NASB) Heb. 10:18 |
All our sins are forgiven. Our past, present and future sins are
forgiven.
Conclusion. The
Father is the Master Planner. He spoke to us through the prophets.
He spoke to us through Jesus. He planned our salvation (Eph. 1:4).
He made known the “mystery of His will” (Eph. 1:9). He
sealed us (Eph. 1:13). He planned to replace the Old Covenant with
a New Covenant of grace. He planned Jesus’ death and return
to life. He planned our sanctification - our eternal forgiveness.
He decided to save us (John 6:65). He drew us to Jesus (John 6:44)
and according to John 6:37 we had no choice but to come. And then
He forgave us forever - once for all!
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