Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 12

At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Foreshadowed,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.

Our series is Kingdom Foreshadowed. We have been talking about the Tabernacle, and now, as we begin our journey toward the Temple in 2 Kings, we will take a quick look at some of the books along the way. This week, we will look at Leviticus, but to help us prepare, let’s see what the writer of Hebrews has to say in Hebrews Chapter 10.

Hebrews 10:8–14 (NIV)
8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

In this passage, the author emphasizes how Jesus Christ fulfills the Levitical requirements for being in God’s presence by offering Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice. This passage explains how Christ’s sacrificial death surpasses the old covenant’s sacrificial system, which was centered on animal offerings and could never fully atone for sin or grant direct access to God.

Hebrews 10:8-9 begins by quoting Psalm 40:6-8, where the psalmist speaks of God’s dissatisfaction with burnt offerings and sin offerings. These sacrifices, mandated by the Levitical law, were necessary but insufficient. They were repeated year after year, highlighting their inability to bring about complete forgiveness or perfect the worshiper’s conscience. The author of Hebrews explains that Christ came to do God’s will, which involved setting aside the old sacrificial system to establish a new covenant through His own sacrifice.

Verse 10 then declares, “By that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” This statement highlights the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice in fulfilling the Levitical requirements. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant, Jesus’ offering was perfect and final, permanently making believers holy and acceptable to God. His sacrifice fulfills the Levitical requirement for atonement, granting believers access to God’s presence.

In verses 11-12, the contrast between the Levitical priests and Jesus is further emphasized. The priests stood daily, offering the same sacrifices repeatedly, which could never take away sins. In contrast, Jesus, after offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, “sat down at the right hand of God.” This imagery of sitting down indicates the completion and sufficiency of His work. No further sacrifice is needed, as His offering has permanently fulfilled the requirements for reconciliation with God.

Finally, in verse 14, the author affirms that by “one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Jesus’ sacrifice meets and surpasses the Levitical requirements, bringing believers into a perfect, eternal relationship with God. Through His work, believers are made holy and can confidently enter God’s presence!

We will discuss all this and more this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, so be sure to join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.