Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – October 3, 2021

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Scripture reading – Heb 10:19-25

19 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Exposition

Two conditions: “since we have confidence…and a great priest”  (vv.19-21)

  1. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh”
  • “Therefore…” refers to vv.1-18
  • “confidence” is parrhesia, “cheerful courage, boldness, assurance.”
  • “the curtain… his flesh.” A thick curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Ex 26:31-33). The curtain was torn at the moment Jesus died (Mt 27:51) signifying that we have immediate, permanent access to God in the Spirit through Christ’s torn body (cf. Eph 2:18; Rom 5:1).
  1. 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
  • “great priest” – literal rendering of the Heb. “high priest” (Nu 35:25,28; Zech 6:11). Jesus is the new, permanent high priest replacing the Aaronic priests who served under the Mosaic Covenant. He is described as “sympathetic”, “merciful”, “gentle”, one who truly “gets” our weaknesses (Heb 2:17; 4:15; 5:2). 

Three take aways: “let us draw near…hold fast…stir up…”  (vv.22-25)

  1. 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
  • “draw near” is proserchomai, “approach, come to.” Stay face-to-face with God. “Abide” in him (Jn 15:4-5). When you’ve drifted, come back (Jas 4:8). Our enemy focuses his attack here (e.g., Gen 3:4-5).
  • “true heart” – sincere, authentic heart without pretense.
  • “full assurance of faith” is plerophoria, a certainty that overcomes all doubt.
  • “our hearts sprinkled… out bodies washed” – everything necessary for our ritual cleansing and relational reconciliation has been done for us (Heb 10:10,14).
  1. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
  • “hold fast” is katecho, “hold back, retain, restrain, keep secure, maintain possession of.” Keep your focus on Jesus (Heb 12:2), not on your faith or good works (Gal 3:3). “Cling” to the Person of Jesus as your only hope (Ps 63:8, dabak).
  • “the confession of our hope” – our bold assurance that Jesus really will save us.
  • “for he who promised is faithful” – He is not going to let you down. He is fully deserving of our trust (2 Tim 2:13). 
  1. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
  • “stir up” is paroxusmós, “incite, irritate, exasperate, provoke.” This is a major reason we meet on Sundays and during the week (1 Thess 5:14).
  • “to love and good works” – love is agape, which is the one command tied to the New Covenant (John 13:34). Good works is what we are re-created to do (Eph 2:10).
  • “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” – neglecting church attendance is a common temptation and is habit forming.
  • “as you see the Day drawing near” – Heb. yom Yahweh. Each day brings us one day closer to “the Day.” Part of loving each other is to help one another be prepared for that Day (1 Cor 12:26).