“Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
‘This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.’
Then he says,
‘I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.’
And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.”
In chapter 8 the author of Hebrews referenced Jeremiah 31, and this reference is repeated here in today’s passage. Why would the author keep going over and over the same points? It might be tempting to start skimming, thinking that these points have now been driven home for several chapters. However, imagine that this letter was designed to be read aloud and delivered as a sermon (which it most likely was). A sermon often has a circling back or repetitive style because listening to the whole thing at once is very different from dissecting it verse by verse as we are doing here. To replicate the early audience’s experience, you could listen to all of Hebrews in one sitting in the Bible app (YouVersion). I suggest using either the New Living Translation or The Message versions for that purpose.
Let’s focus on the last verse in today’s passage, which stands out from the rest of the verses that are similar to what we have already read. “When sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.” Rationally, you may be able to comprehend that idea. Okay, new system, Jesus, perfect priest/sacrifice, got it. But let’s soak into our hearts the idea that our sins are forgiven in a permanent and enduring way. There is so much freedom in that reality. What used to be a heavy burden has now been lifted.
In America, we are often fiercely independent. We fight for what we want and look out for ourselves. In the end, that only gets us so far. Depending on myself has significant limits. What if you didn’t have to depend on yourself for everything? What if you couldn’t depend on yourself for everything? The spiritual reality is that you cannot depend on yourself. You will never get to God that way. If you have accepted Jesus to be the Savior and leader of your life, you’ve been forgiven and there is no need for you to keep proving yourself to him. You can’t earn it. You can’t get it. You can only accept it. And that is what true freedom is all about.