Hebrews

The Effectiveness of Christ’s Sacrifice and the Priesthood of Believers

Since the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, it has the patterns but not the realities. So, year after year, the same sacrifices are made without guiding the worshipers toward the ultimate goal.

If they had truly been cleansed once and for all, they would no longer feel guilt and would have stopped offering the same sacrifices.

But no, year after year, their sacrifices testify to their sins, 

and the blood of bulls and goats will never remove these sins. 

This is why, when Christ entered the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 

in burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 

Then I said: “Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. Here I am to do your will, O God.” 

First, he says: Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings, and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them—although they were required by the law.

Then he says: Here I am to do your will. This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new one.

Now, by God’s will, we are sanctified once and for all through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s body. 

So, while every priest stands daily at the altar, repeatedly offering sacrifices that can never take away sins, 

Christ has offered a single sacrifice for all time and has sat down at the right hand of God, 

waiting until God makes his enemies a footstool under his feet. 

With a single sacrifice, he has made those who are sanctified perfect forever. 

This was also testified by the Holy Spirit. For after declaring: 

This is the covenant that I will make with them in the days to come—says the Lord—I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds. 

He also says: Their sins and evil deeds I will remember no more. 

So, if sins are forgiven, there is no longer any need for a sacrifice for sin.

Exhortation

So, my friends, we are confident of entering the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus

who opened for us this new and living way by passing through the curtain—that is, his body. 

Because we have a high priest in charge of the house of God, 

let us approach with a sincere heart, full faith, inwardly cleansed from a guilty conscience, and our bodies washed in pure water. 

Let us hold firmly to our hope without wavering, because he who promises is faithful.

Let us think about how we can encourage each other to love and perform good deeds. 

Do not abandon the assemblies as some of you do, but encourage one another more, since the Day is drawing near. 

If we sin willfully after receiving knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for sin, 

but only the terrifying prospect of judgment and fire that consumes the adversaries.

Anyone who disregards the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 

What, then, do you think will happen to those who have despised the Son of God? How harshly will they be punished for having defiled the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and for insulting the Spirit given to them? 

For we know the one who says: Vengeance is mine, I will repay. And also: The Lord will judge his people. 

What a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

Remember the first days when you were enlightened. You had to endure a tough struggle in the face of suffering. 

Publicly, you faced humiliation and trials, and had to share the suffering of others who were similarly treated. 

You demonstrated solidarity with those in prison; you were dispossessed of your possessions and accepted it willingly, knowing you were gaining something far better and more lasting possession. 

Do not now throw away your confidence; it will be handsomely rewarded. 

Be patient in doing God’s will, and the promise will be yours: 

For yet a little while longer and he who is coming will come; he will not delay. 

My righteous one will live if he believes; but if he distrusts, I will no longer look kindly on him. 

We are not the ones who withdraw and perish, but those who believe and achieve personal salvation.