The Perfecting of the Church. Heb. 10:11-14 (109)
“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting, till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified vv. 11–14. “Four things are here for our instructruction. 1. The state of the legal priests and sacrifices, as unto the recognition of them, by which he had proved before their utter insufficiency to take away sin (v. 11). 2. In that one offering of Christ, and that once offered, in opposition thereunto (v. 12). 3. The consequence thereof on the part of Christ; whereof there are two parts. First, His state and condition immediately ensuing thereon (v. 12), manifesting the dignity, efficacy and absolute perfection of His offering. Secondly, as unto the continuance of His state and condition afterwards (v. 13). 4. The absolute effect of his sacrifice, which was the sanctification of the Church (v. 14)” (John Owen).
- And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (v. 11). Once more the Holy Spirit emphasizes the contrast between the all-sufficient offering of Christ and the unefficacious offerings under the law. This is brought out under five details, upon which there is little need for us to enlarge at length. First, under the law the sacerdotal office was filled by many: attention is called to this by the “every priest,” which is set over against the “this Man” of v. 12, who was competent by Himself to do all God required. Second, the Levitical priests stood. This was true both high priests and of all under him. No chair or seat was provided for them in either the tabernacle or temple, for their work was never ended. Third, they were employed daily, which showed they were unable to do immediately and once for all that which would satisfy God. Fourth, they oftentimes presented “the same sacrifices”: true, they varied in detail and design, nevertheless they had this in common, that, they were irrational creatures, incapable of offering intelligent and acceptable obedience to God. Fifth, they could not meet the infinite demands of justice, expiate sins, nor provide a permanent resting-place for an exercised conscience. The salvation of the Lord does not come to a soul via any such things. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” Tit. 3:5, 6.
- “But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God” (v. 12). “The word “Man”. “But He,”. He came and once for all laid Himself on the Divine altar as an atonement to God. There is both a comparison and a contrast here between Christ and Aaron and his successors. Both were priests; both offered a sacrifice for sins. But, they were many; He alone. They offered numerous sacrifices; He, but one. They continued to offer sacrifices; His is complete and final. Their offerings were unefficacious; His, has actually removed sins. They stood; He has sat down. They ministered unto God; He is seated at the right hand of God. The typical high priest entered the holiest only for a brief season, one day in the year; Christ has gone on High “forever.” He has not ceased to be a Priest, nor to exercise that office; but He is now “a Priest upon His throne” Zech. 6:13. The position He occupies witnesses to the supreme excellency of His work, and attests the acceptance of His sacrifice by God. The glorious place which our once humiliated Savior has been accorded, supplies conclusive evidence of the value and finality of His redemptive work. “The very fact that Christ is in heaven, accepted by His Father, proves that His work must be done. As long as Jesus Christ our Savior is at His Father’s court, it shows that there is real peace between His people and His Father. But that peace could not have been continual, unless the atonement had been wholly made, unless justice had been entirely satisfied” (C.H. Spurgeon). “For ever sat down on the right hand of God.” Four times in this epistle is reference made to Christ’s being seated on High, yet is there no repetition. On each occasion the reference is found connected with an entirely different line of thought. First, in Heb. 1:3 it is His seat of personal glory which is in view. Second, in Heb. 8:1 it is the seat of priestly pre-eminence with His superiority over all others who filled the sacerdotal office. Third, here in Heb. 10:12 it is the seat of sacrificial acceptance. Fourth, in Heb. 12:2 it is the seat of the Victor, the prize given for having successfully run His race.” Pink Arthur W.
