10:11-14
This is essentially a repetition of the argument that he has been making again and again. The priests repeatedly offered sacrifices. So they could never truly take away sins. Note the implicit assumption that sins do need to be taken away. So much wooly or false teaching is a result of a failure to recognise the problem of sin. Sin is our biggest problem. There are those who deny the substitutionary nature of the atonement. People who expound such views do not take sin seriously, and offer no solution to the problem of sin. I need the sacrifice of Jesus to deal with my sin, my guilt.
Jesus, unlike the Levitical priests, sat down after He had offered Himself. The sacrificial work was finished. Now He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. We are in a different age, this is the time when Christ’s enemies are being made into a footstool, they are being defeated. The one sacrifice of Jesus Christ has made us perfect forever. Note that it also says,”being made holy”. This is a recognition that perfect here means we are completely acceptable to God, but His work in us is ongoing.
10:15
As is his want, the author refers back to the Old Testament, this time the words of Jeremiah, quoted earlier in the letter. Again we see that the writer is absolutely convinced that the Old Testament is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the Holy Spirit is personally testifying to us. We need to be careful how we use the word “inspired” or “inspiration”, as we can use it in a much weaker sense than it actually means in terms of the Bible. The Holy Spirit is speaking directly and specifically through the words of Scripture.
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