“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,’ then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’ Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:11-18).
This portion of Hebrews is the climactic conclusion concerning Christ and His eminently superior High Priesthood. In almost bullet point fashion, seven distinctive comparisons can be found. In each point of consideration, Jesus is supremely superior.
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Frequency—Jesus’ one time sacrifice vs. “repeatedly”.
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Efficacy—Jesus took away sins forever vs. “never”.
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Posture—Jesus has sat down vs. priests who perpetually stood.
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Location—Jesus’ ministry is in heaven in God’s presence vs. an earthly tabernacle.
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Order—Jesus is from the class of priest-kings like Melchizedek vs. the class of priests like Aaron.
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Results—Those cleansed by Christ are perfected forever vs. perpetually imperfect.
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Prophecy—The commencement of Jesus’ priesthood and the conclusion of the Aaronic priesthood were foretold.
These vital truths about Christ and His High Priesthood are not for the dull of hearing (Hebrews 5:10-11); they are compelling reasons to become and remain a Christian.
