Written ~ 11-22-2024
Read Hebrews Chapter Ten
Hebrews 10
Before we begin our chapter today, I want us to stop and think about how we handle sin in our lives. We have been learning so far in the Book of Hebrews that the people of Israel were required to sacrifice animals for their sin, they were reminded each year through that sacrifice that they were guilty of sin. They didn’t have a one and done solution. Not like us today where we have Jesus, the final sacrificial lamb. When our hearts have been cleansed through Salvation, we now have that one and done solution and that’s remarkable, isn’t’ it? But that doesn’t mean because we have been forgiven once and for all that we do not acknowledge sin in our lives. When we are doing anything that falls outside the parameters of God’s Word we need to repent of those things, turn away from whatever we are doing and remember we have been cleansed of those things and should not continue engaging in the things of the world. When we have the reminders in Scripture of the marvelous gift we have in Salvation, it is our responsibility to take our Salvation seriously and not for granted. God was never pleased with the animal sacrifices and the burnt offerings, what He desires most is our obedience to His Word. When we put our trust, our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we are acknowledging and accepting that God’s Son did exactly what He set out to do 2000 years ago. He offered Himself, once and for all, to become the sacrifice that God required and now all He is desiring from us, is to accept His Son. We have been forgiven, Hebrews 10:18, “And when sins are forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.”
For time’s sake I will have you read the first 18 verses on your own, it’s a wonderful summary of the things we have been learning. So, don’t miss out on anything ~ Take the time to read Hebrews 10:1-18! If you are interested, I did write a Bible Study for the verses 10:11-18, it can be found on my website, under the Menu item “Bible Study and Journaling,” you will scroll to the New Testament, then to the Book of Hebrews and look for the specific verses referenced.
Let’s begin our Bible Study today starting with verse 10:19…
Hebrews 10:19-20…
19 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.”
When we read about the Most Holy Place in the Old Testament, we see that it is only the high priest who is allowed in that section of the Tabernacle to offer sacrifices to God on behalf of the people and only once a year. Anyone entering that space without “permission” (even the high priest) would die. In Leviticus 16:2 it says, “The Lord spoke to Moses, “Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark’s cover – the place of atonement – is there, and I Myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.” There was a very specific purification ceremony that was required before anyone could step foot inside the Most Holy Place. But Hebrews 10:20 says Jesus has given us a way through the curtain, we have full access to the Most Holy Place because we have Christ within us through Salvation. In the Gospels (except the Book of John) each author recorded Jesus’ final words and final breath, and the moment He gave up His spirit the curtain in the Most Holy Place tore down the middle, you can read these accounts in Matthew 27:50-51, Mark 15:37 and Luke 23:44-46. When this happened our access to the Most Holy Place was granted. God’s final sacrifice was received, and He was pleased. Jesus has entered the Most Holy Place and now He can welcome us in! Salvation brings life!
Hebrews 10:21-22…
21 “And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.”
If you read Leviticus 16, you will see everything Aaron had to do in order to be purified and be ready to enter the Most Holy Place. Here in Hebrews chapter 10, we see that Jesus has done all of that for us. Through Salvation we have gone through the purification ceremony making us worthy of going into the Most Holy Place and into the presence of God.
Hebrews 10:23…
23 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.”
We can trust in God! And God’s promise, if we have accepted His Son, is full access to His presence.
Hebrews 10:24-25…
24 “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”
Sharing the promises of God is just one way we can encourage each other, let’s look closer at verses 10:19-25 and list the promises we find in just these verses alone!
- We can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place
- We have a new and life-giving way to the Most Holy Place through Jesus
- We have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house
- Because we sincerely trust in Him we can go right into the presence of God
- We have hope because God keeps His promises
- One day, Jesus will return
Because of these wonderful promises we can motivate, encourage and love one another. The World English Bible (WEB) translation says we are to “stir each other up!” Believers need to meet together often, none of us should walk through this life alone. We need to build each other up! Where one person might be struggling, another may be flourishing! When we come together, we can learn from each other, and “stir each other up.”
In the next set of verses, we are given a warning. These are things we need to warn each other about! Not only should we encourage each other, we need to warn each other of any behaviors that are not pleasing to our Holy God.
Hebrews 10:26-31…
26 “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the One who said,
“I will take revenge.
I will pay them back.”
He also said,
“The Lord will judge His own people.”
31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
The non-believer is destined to have all of those things happen to them if they do not turn from their unbelieving ways and see the truth of Salvation in Jesus Christ. I find it really sad… so many people have heard the Gospel message, they have heard testimonies from those whose hearts have been renewed, but for some reason they cannot for themselves accept who Jesus is and refuse to accept the gift of Salvation. Truly, the judgment of God is not something you want to mess around with!
What about the believer who chooses to live a sinful life? They have accepted the truth, but that’s it, there isn’t any growth and the way they conduct themselves leaves question to their devotion to their Savior. I believe there is consequence here on earth, the Holy Spirit will do all He can to grab the attention of the believer who has fallen away… with any means necessary He will snap them back into communion with the Lord.
Hebrews 10:32-39…
32 “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.
37 “For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And My righteous ones will live by faith.
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.”
Be that one person in your group of friends who remains faithful to the Lord in every situation. Be that one person in your family who has complete faith in the Lord in every circumstance. Be that one person out in the world who expresses the joy of the Lord no matter what comes your way. Be that one person who does not turn away from God. Be faithful, be patient, be joyful.
~AMEN~