The Superior Sacrifice of Jesus Christ: Cleansing Believers from Sin

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Animal Sacrifices in the Old Testament
   1. The Shadow of Good Things to Come
   2. The Limitations of Animal Sacrifices
3. The Superior Sacrifice of Jesus Christ
   1. The Acceptable and Sufficient Sacrifice
   2. The Perfection of the Believers
4. The Irrelevance of Animal Sacrifices
   1. No More Offering for Sin Necessary
   2. The Positional Security of Believers
5. Entering the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus
   1. The Access Granted to Believers
   2. The Faithful Promises of God
6. The Warning against Willful Sin
   1. The Consequences of Willful Rejection
   2. Divine Chastisement and Punishment
7. Holding Fast to the Profession of Faith
   1. Exhortation to Remain Steadfast
   2. The Confidence in the Offering of Christ
8. Conclusion

🔴 Animal Sacrifices in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the practice of animal sacrifices served as a representation of the good things to come. Although they were an integral part of the Law, these sacrifices had inherent limitations that prevented them from completely cleansing the comers from sin. Hebrews 10:1 highlights that the law had "a shadow of good things to come," emphasizing its symbolic nature rather than being an exact image of the things themselves. The repeated sacrifices of bulls and goats offered year after year could not perfect those who offered them (Hebrews 10:2).

🔵 The Shadow of Good Things to Come

Animal sacrifices were a temporary provision, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make. While they provided a temporary covering for sin, they could never fully take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). The sacrifices served as a reminder of the people's need for a perfect sacrifice that could truly cleanse them from sin. It is through these sacrifices that the concept of substitutionary atonement was established, pointing to the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

🔵 The Limitations of Animal Sacrifices

Despite their significance, the blood of bulls and goats had limitations in terms of efficacy. These sacrifices could not permanently remove sins, and their continuous repetition highlighted their insufficiency. Hebrews 10:11 emphasizes that "every priest stands daily ministering and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins." The repetition of these sacrifices highlighted their inadequacy and the constant reminder of sin.

🔴 The Superior Sacrifice of Jesus Christ

While the animal sacrifices had their place in the Old Testament, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was the superior and sufficient sacrifice that could truly cleanse and sanctify believers. His sacrifice was not limited by time or effectiveness, but it accomplished the redemption of humanity once and for all.

🔵 The Acceptable and Sufficient Sacrifice

Jesus Christ, as the perfect Lamb of God, offered Himself as an acceptable and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of humanity. His sacrifice had the power to take away sins completely. Hebrews 10:14 declares that "by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." The offering of Christ sanctifies believers positionally forever. Through faith in Jesus and His sacrifice, believers are eternally secure, and their sins are washed away.

🔵 The Perfection of the Believers

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ not only provides forgiveness of sins but also brings about the perfection of believers. By accepting Jesus' offering for sin, believers are made righteous in the sight of God. Their sins are no longer counted against them, and they are positioned as blameless before God. The continual sacrifices of the Old Testament era are no longer necessary because of the sufficient and superior sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

🔴 The Irrelevance of Animal Sacrifices

The coming of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice rendered the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament obsolete. Believers are no longer required to offer animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. The superiority of Jesus' sacrifice made animal sacrifices unnecessary.

🔵 No More Offering for Sin Necessary

Hebrews 10:18 makes it clear that there is no longer a need for repetitive sacrifices: "Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin." The sacrifice of Jesus Christ brought complete remission of sins, and there is no need for any additional sacrifice. Believers can now approach God directly through Jesus, without the need for any intermediaries.

🔵 The Positional Security of Believers

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ ensures the positional security of believers. Once they have believed in Jesus and accepted His sacrifice for sin, they are eternally secure in their salvation. Hebrews 10:10 affirms, "By that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." The sacrifice of Jesus sanctifies believers forever. Once saved, they are always saved.

🔴 Entering the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, believers have been granted boldness to enter into the holiest place, symbolizing direct access to God. This access is made possible by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice opened the way for believers to come before God confidently.

🔵 The Access Granted to Believers

Hebrews 10:19 declares, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus." The audience addressed in this passage consists of born-again believers who are encouraged to hold fast to their faith and confidently approach God. They are reminded that their entrance into the holiest is not by the blood of animals but by the precious blood of Jesus.

🔵 The Faithful Promises of God

Believers are exhorted to hold fast to the profession of their faith without wavering because God is faithful to His promises. Hebrews 10:23 encourages believers by saying, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised)." The faithfulness of God assures believers that He will fulfill His promises and that their confidence in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is well-placed.

🔴 The Warning against Willful Sin

In Hebrews 10, there is a warning against willfully sinning after having received the knowledge of the truth. This warning serves to highlight the gravity of rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and returning to the inferior and unnecessary animal sacrifices.

🔵 The Consequences of Willful Rejection

Hebrews 10:26 states, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." This passage refers to the temptation faced by Hebrew believers to abandon their faith in the superior sacrifice of Jesus Christ and revert to the rituals of the Old Testament. Willfully turning back to animal sacrifices would be a grave rejection of the Son of God and the Spirit of Grace.

🔵 Divine Chastisement and Punishment

The warning against willful sin is accompanied by the proclamation of severe Divine chastisement for those who do not heed the warning. Hebrews 10:31 warns, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The Lord will judge His people, and those who despise the sacrifice of Jesus Christ will face severe punishment. The consequences of rejecting Christ's sacrifice far outweigh any temporal afflictions faced by believers.

🔴 Holding Fast to the Profession of Faith

In light of the admonitions and warnings given, believers are encouraged to hold fast to the profession of their faith. Despite the challenges and temptations they face, they are exhorted to remain steadfast and confident in the offering of Jesus Christ.

🔵 Exhortation to Remain Steadfast

Hebrews 10:23 urges believers to hold fast to the profession of their faith without wavering. The faith that has been placed in Jesus and His sacrifice should not be swayed or shaken, regardless of external circumstances or influences. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions and not allow doubt or uncertainty to undermine their faith.

🔵 The Confidence in the Offering of Christ

Believers can have full confidence in the offering of Jesus Christ for their salvation. They can rely on the completeness and efficacy of His sacrifice. Hebrews 10:35 encourages believers by saying, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." The offering of Jesus Christ is the foundation of their faith, and they can trust in the surety of their salvation.

🔴 Conclusion

The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament shadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice was superior and sufficient, fulfilling the law and granting believers access to God. The warnings against willful rejection serve as a reminder of the severity of despising the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Believers are called to hold fast to their faith and remain confident in the offering of Jesus, knowing that they are eternally secure in their salvation.

Highlights:

• Animal sacrifices in the Old Testament were a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
• The blood of animals could not permanently remove or cleanse away sins.
• Jesus' sacrifice was acceptable and sufficient to cleanse believers from sin.
• Believers are eternally secure in their salvation through faith in Jesus' sacrifice.
• Animal sacrifices are no longer necessary due to the completeness of Jesus' sacrifice.
• Believers have direct access to God through the shed blood of Jesus.
• Willfully rejecting Jesus' sacrifice carries severe Divine chastisement.
• Believers are urged to hold fast to their faith and remain confident in Jesus' sacrifice.

FAQs

Q: Can a believer lose their salvation if they sin willfully? A: No, believers' salvation is secure once they have accepted Jesus' sacrifice for their sins. The warning against willful sin in Hebrews 10 is in regard to returning to animal sacrifices, not a loss of salvation.

Q: Why were animal sacrifices significant in the Old Testament? A: Animal sacrifices served as temporary provisions and foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They symbolized the need for a perfect sacrifice that could cleanse humanity from sin.

Resources:

• Video: How to be Saved from Hell: The Only Way to Heaven
• Details on how to accept Jesus' sacrifice and find salvation can be found in the video linked above.