This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for June 15
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

To fully appreciate the image of Jesus as our “perfect Redeemer,” we need to remember that he fulfills and completes the Jewish system of blood sacrifices. Last week we noted that Jesus is both the high priest and the sacrificial offering. By offering himself as the one perfect sacrifice, he was able to take away the guilt of our sin (Hebrews 10:1-3). This makes him our Redeemer.

When people speak of “redemption” today they usually are talking about cashing in a bond or exchanging frequent flyer points for free travel. In Scripture, a redeemer is one who saves or delivers a person or group (see Exodus 15:13; Leviticus 25:25; Job 19:25; Psalm 34:22). To the Christian, “Redeemer” means Christ. He purchased us with his blood so that we might serve God. We need no other sacrifice. He is our perfect Redeemer.

Eternal Redemption/Hebrews 9:11-14

Verse 11. When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. The intercessory work of Jesus did not take place in an earthly tabernacle, but rather in the heavenly one where God himself dwells (Hebrews 9:24; 8:2). He took all of the past away, nailing it to his cross (Colossians 2:14).

Verse 12. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. In the Levitical priesthood, the high priest first sacrificed young bulls to atone for his own sins (Leviticus 16:11). Then he offered the goats for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:15). Our Great High Priest, by the sacrifice of himself, made the perfect and final offering for sin—his blood. The ransom was paid. Deliverance was accomplished (see Matthew 20:28; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7).

Verse 13. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. While these offerings fulfilled the Old Testament’s legal requirements, they could not ultimately remove sin.

Verse 14. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Jesus’ sacrifice removed the spiritual defilement and guilt of sin from our inmost being. Literally the text reads “through eternal Spirit,” suggesting that the writer is speaking of the divine nature of Christ himself.

Eternal Inheritance/Hebrews 9:15-18

Verse 15. For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. “Those who are called” includes all the people of God, whether under the old covenant or the new. All were redeemed when Christ paid their ransom. He is the “mediator” in that he brought God and man together. Because God is completely holy, he insists that sin must be paid for. But because he also is completely loving, he provided that payment through the gift of his Son.

Verses 16-18. In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. We are familiar with the way a “last will and testament” is regarded today. A man may change his will many times, so long as he is alive. But after his death, the last will is in force. Only then can his beneficiaries receive what is promised in the will.

Eternal Forgiveness/Hebrews 10:12-18

Verse 12. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. In v. 11, the writer notes that the Old Testament priests stood as they performed their daily duties. In contrast, Christ’s sacrifice was offered one time and now he is seated at his Father’s side.

Verses 13, 14. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. His sacrifice could not be repeated, nor did it need to be. With the battle won, Jesus awaits the moment when God will destroy every enemy. By his one sacrifice Christ has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. As Charles Wesley sang, “Love’s redeeming work is done.”

Verses 15-17. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. The author then cites two more Old Testament references (Jeremiah 31:33, 34). The Holy Spirit bears witness through the Scriptures he inspired. “I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” While the first covenant was written on stone (tablets containing the Ten Commandments), under the New Covenant, the Lord writes directly upon the hearts of his people. Because of our perfect Redeemer’s work, nothing more is needed to insure the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 5:11). His sacrificial work is done. |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.