Hebrews 10:19-39

 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy. And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near. For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume God’s enemies. Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace? For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way. For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison, and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainly had a better and lasting possession. So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward. For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised. For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him. But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

— ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭39‬‬

This is the fourth of five warning passages in Hebrews. These grow in fierceness throughout the book. Very difficult to understand, but it can be helpful to look for discussion of five topics throughout these passages: spiritual descriptions of audience, description of sin, promised consequences of sinning or repenting, how they should respond, confidence in God. 

Also genre of Hebrews is important and historical context: persecution. Written to primarily Jewish Christians. These people are being tempted (probably bc of persecution) to return to former Judaism. 

Too long of a passage to walk through each phrase. Overall message is that we have access to God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Endure. Endure. Endure. Do not turn back. Judaism does not equal following Jesus/Christianity. 

“Keep on sinning” is not same as 1 John 3. This is not just a habit of sinning. I understand this at least as relying on sacrifices to cover sin. Generally it means remaining in Judaism. If we take away Jesus, “no other sacrifice remains.” Where else can we find forgiveness? Judaism or any other religion does not reconcile humans with God. 

Rejecting Christ profanes the blood of the covenant. Makes it useless. 

Descriptions of these people make it sound like their saved. Same as in 6:1-4. Probably because author is speaking to mixed audience. (Obviously this is one of the most heated aspects of debate). Hebrews is written in sermon form, so to me it make sense that he is writing as if everyone is saved but pleading for those thinking to walk away, not to do so.

How can a community endure best? By spurring one another to love and good works. This is encouragement, accountability, service, support for each other. Hard to do this in isolation. V. 25 really isn’t talking about going to a church building each week. It certainly includes regular worship services, but it’s much more meaningful than that. There are no Lone Ranger Christians. We need community. Do not abandon one another. That leads to not spurring each other to love and good works. That leads to going back to sacrifices and ultimately leaving Jesus. Stick together.

But author has confidence that people will endure. In ch 6 he makes this explicit that God is faithful and will preserve them. 

We are those who have faith…And ch. 11 explains what that faith is like. 

I love the book of Hebrews. It’s so much more than just the “Jesus is better” book. It’s a comparison of New and Old covenant. It’s a plea to stick with Jesus because He is the only source of hope and life. He reconciles human to deity. Through faith and endurance of this world’s pain and anger (toward them), believers find their joy.