Hebrews 10:7 - Meaning and Application

Here the apostle lifts up and honors the Lord Jesus Christ as much as he had brought down the Levitical priesthood. He presents Christ as the true high priest, the true sacrifice for sin, and the real fulfillment of all the others. He does this in several ways.

First, he points to God’s purpose and promise about Christ, which are often written in the book of God, Hebrews 10:7. God not only planned this, but also announced through Moses and the prophets that Christ would come as the great high priest of the church. He would offer a perfect sacrifice that would also make others perfect. From the first promise in Scripture, that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head, the Old Testament keeps pointing to Christ. Since Christ was so often promised, spoken of, and long expected by God’s people, he deserves great honor and thankfulness.

Second, Christ is worthy because God prepared a body for him, meaning a true human nature, so he could be our Redeemer and Advocate, one who speaks for us. By joining divine and human nature in one person, Christ became the right Mediator, the one who stands between God and man. He is the one who brings peace and joins God and the creature together. As Psalm 40:6 says, “My ears have you opened,” meaning, “You have fully taught, fitted, and prepared me for this work.” A Savior prepared by God in such a remarkable way should be received with deep love and joy.

Third, Christ is shown to be willing to take on this work, even when no other sacrifice would be accepted, Hebrews 10:7-9. When nothing less than Christ himself could satisfy God’s justice, Christ freely came forward and said, “I come. I delight to do your will, O God.” In effect, he said, “Let the curse fall on me, but let my people go.” He delighted to carry out the Father’s plan, to fulfill the covenant made for them, and to complete every promise and prophecy. This should make Christ dear to us, and it should make our Bibles dear to us too, because in Christ we see Scripture fulfilled.

Fourth, Christ came to do the will of God. He did this not only as a prophet, revealing God’s will, and not only as a king, giving divine laws, but also as a priest, satisfying justice and fulfilling all righteousness. He came to do the will of God in two main ways. He removed the first priesthood, which God did not truly delight in, and he set up the second, his own priesthood and the lasting gospel, the pure and perfect form of the covenant of grace. This was the great plan set in God’s heart from all eternity. It is just as good for God’s will as it is for our souls, because by this will we are made holy, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, Hebrews 10:10. All Christ has done for his people comes from God’s sovereign will and grace. And we share in Christ’s work by being made holy, converted, and effectually called, that is, brought to faith in a way that truly changes us. In that way we are united to Christ and receive the benefits of his redemption. This sanctification comes from the offering Christ made of himself to God.

Fifth, the priesthood of Christ works perfectly, Hebrews 10:14. By one offering he has forever made perfect those who are being made holy. He has delivered, and will fully deliver, those who are brought to him from the guilt, power, and punishment of sin. He will also bring them into the sure possession of perfect holiness and happiness. The Levitical priesthood could never do this. So if we are truly seeking a complete salvation, we must receive the Lord Jesus as the only high priest who can bring us there.

Sixth, the apostle recommends Christ by pointing to the place where he is now exalted, the honor he has there, and the further honor he will have. After offering one sacrifice for sins, this man sat down forever at the right hand of God, Hebrews 10:12-13. The right hand of God is the place of power, favor, and active rule. It is the giving hand, because all blessings God gives his people come through Christ. It is the receiving hand, because all the worship and obedience God accepts from people come through Christ. It is the working hand, because Christ governs all things in providence and grace. This is the highest honor there is. Christ came to this honor not only because the Father appointed it, but also because he earned it by his obedience and suffering. Since it is so fully his due, he will never lose it or stop using it for his people’s good. He also enjoys this honor with complete peace and satisfaction. He sits there forever, resting in his Father’s will and presence. This is his lasting rest, and he remains there because he desired it and deserved it. He also waits for what the Father promised him, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool” (Psalm 110:1). Christ has enemies on earth, many and very stubborn ones. So Christians should not be surprised if they also have enemies, even when they try to live at peace with everyone. But Christ’s enemies will become his footstool, some by turning to him and others by being brought low in judgment. Either way, Christ will be honored. He is certain of this, and he waits for it. His people should rejoice in it too, because when his enemies are conquered, their enemies will also be conquered for his sake.

Seventh, the apostle recommends Christ by the witness the Holy Spirit gives about him in Scripture. This especially points to the good result of Christ’s suffering and humiliation, which is the new and gracious covenant founded on his satisfaction and sealed by his blood, Hebrews 10:15. The Holy Spirit bears witness to this. The passage comes from Jeremiah 31:31, where God promises that he will pour out his Spirit on his people, giving them wisdom, willingness, and strength to obey his word. He will put his laws in their hearts and write them in their minds, Hebrews 10:16. That makes their duty clear, easier, and more pleasant.

“Their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17). This shows the riches of God’s grace and the full sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, which does not need to be offered again (Hebrews 10:18). For true believers, God will no longer bring their sins to mind, either to shame them now or to condemn them later. The Levitical priesthood, that is, the priestly system under the law of Moses, and its sacrifices could never do this fully.

With this, the writer moves on from the teaching part of the letter. Along the way, there have been many things that are hard to understand, but that is due to the weakness and dullness of our own minds. He now begins to apply this great truth, so it can shape their hearts and guide their lives, by setting before them the honor and duty of life under the gospel.