Jesus, a Better — Perfect — Sin Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–10:18)
The target audience of this epistle — Jewish converts to Christianity — were no doubt aware of the system of animal and grain sacrifices set up during the time of Moses in order to deal, temporarily anyway, with sin. But the writer of Hebrews pointed out that the sacrificial system was temporary and nothing more than a precursor to what Jesus would do on the cross: “The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves” (Hebrews 10:1).
The laws concerning the sin offering are given in detail in the book of Leviticus (4:1–6:13; 9:7–11, 22–24; 12:6–8; 15:2, 14, 25–30; 14:19, 31) and in Numbers (6:10–14). Sin offerings were presented on the Day of Atonement and on the five annual Jewish religious festivals (Numbers 28, 29).
The tenth chapter of Hebrews points out that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was superior to the old system of animal and grain sacrifices in the following ways:
Under the old system, the sacrifices were done yearly, but Christ';s was done once and for all (verse 1–3).
Under the old system, the sacrifices made someone “clean” enough to be able to worship, but the sacrifice of Christ completely cleanses us from all sin and guilt (verse 2–3).
The blood of animals can';t completely take away sins, but the sacrifice of Christ has done just that (verse 3–6).
Under the old system, there were several different sacrifices for different occasions, but Christ willingly offered himself so that we could be made holy and pure (verses 11–12).
Christ';s sacrifice negates any need for further sacrifices (verse 18).
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is infinitely superior to those spelled out under the Law of Moses. That is because what Jesus did on the cross provided not just forgiveness of sin but also power against it. Jesus destroyed once and for all the works of the devil, and he has made those who would put their faith in him right before God.
Study Questions
How do you personally approach the Law of Moses as it is written in the Old Testament?
What is your response to knowing that the work of Jesus on the cross completed what was started in the Law of Moses?
