September 29, 2022 - Hebrews 8-10

“Now the point in what we are saying is this . . .” (8:1). The writer is reminding us about the main point of his letter, i.e., the priestly ministry of Jesus that has brought the forgiveness of sins. And in the covenant about which the writer writes, the Lord says to those ministered to by Jesus, “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (8:12). He “entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (9:12).

Furthermore, “since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near” (10:1). But Jesus can and does make us perfect, “for by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (10:14). And so, we sing:

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:

all other ground is sinking sand;

all other ground is sinking sand. --Edward Mote (1834)