Christ's Once For All Sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-18)

"For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near" (Hebrews 10:1).

The author of Hebrews, inspired by God, wrote that since the law has but a shadow (mere representation) of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect (complete, overcome an imperfect state) those who draw near. 

"Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (Hebrews 10:2-4).

The author questioned whether they would not have ceased to be offered since the worshippers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins. With the sacrifices, the people are reminded and aware of their sins every year. It's impossible for the blood of bulls and goats, animals whom they sacrificed, to take away sins. 

"Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘"Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book'" (Hebrews 10:5-7).

In this instance, the author of Hebrews quoted a passage from Psalms. It states, "In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:6-8). Christ is the speaker of the passage. 

Christ said that sacrifices and offerings God hasn't desired but a body He prepared for Him for a purpose. Christ said that He came to do God's will, as it is written of Him in the scroll of the book. 

"When he said above, 'You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings' (these are offered according to the law), then he added, 'Behold, I have come to do your will.' He does away with the first in order to establish the second (Hebrews 10:8-9).

Christ takes away the first, doing away with Old Testament sacrifices and offerings to establish the second, which involves obedience and doing God's will. 

"And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).

By that will, we have been sanctified (devoted to God, made holy, set apart for God) through the offering of Jesus' body once for all.

"And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins" (Hebrews 10:11).

The priests standing daily at their service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, cannot ever take away sins. 

"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet" (Hebrews 10:12-13).

However, when Christ offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at God's right hand, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. In other words, His enemies will subject to Him so that He can put a foot on their necks. He is the Lord! This connects with a passage in Psalms that states, "The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool'" (Psalm 110:1). 

"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14).

By a single offering, Christ has perfected for all time those being made holy and devoted to God. 

"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, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,' then He adds, 'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more'" (Hebrews 10:16-17).

The Holy Spirit offers testimony and confirms. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

"Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin" (Hebrews 10:18).