Christ's Perfect Sacrifice
(Psalm 147:1-20; Romans 3:1-8)

1For the Law, having a shadow of the good things coming, not the form of the things themselves, never is able each year, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually, to perfect those drawing near. 2Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, because of those serving having been cleansed once, no longer having conscience of sins?

3But in these, there is a reminder of sins every year. 4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins. 5Therefore coming into the world, He says:

“Sacrifice and offering You have not desired,

but a body You have prepared me.

6In burnt offerings and offerings for sin

You have not delighted.

7Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

in the scroll of the book it is written of Me—

to do Your will, O God.’”a

8Saying above, “Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offerings for sin, You have not desired, nor have You delighted in” (which are offered according to the Law), 9then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first that He might establish the second. 10By that will, we are having been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11And indeed every priest stands every day, ministering and offering the same sacrifices repeatedly, which never are able to take away sins. 12But this One, having offered one sacrifice for sins in perpetuity, sat down at the right hand of God, 13the henceforth awaiting until His enemies should be placed as a footstool for His feet. 14For by one offering, He has perfected for all time those being sanctified.

15And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after having said before:

16“This is the covenant that I will make with them,

after those days, says the Lord,

putting My Laws into their hearts,

and I will inscribe them into their mind,”b

17and,

“Their sins and their lawless acts,

I will remember no more.”c

18Now where there is forgiveness of these, no longer is there an offering for sin.

A Call to Persevere
(Jude 1:17-23)

19Therefore, brothers, having confidence for entering the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way, which He dedicated for us through the veil that is His flesh, 21and having a great priest over the house of God, 22we should draw near with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith, our hearts having been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our body having been washed with pure water.

23We should hold fast to the confession of our hope, unwavering; for the One having promised is faithful. 24And we should think toward stirring up one another to love and to good works, 25not forsaking the assembling together of ourselves as is the custom with some, but encouraging one another, and so much more as you see the Day drawing near.

26For if we sin willingly after we are to receive the knowledge of the truth, no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment and fury of fire being about to devour the adversaries. 28Anyone having set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercies on the basis of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment do you think will he deserve, the one having trampled upon the Son of God, and having esteemed ordinary the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and having insulted the Spirit of grace?

30For we know the One having said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,”d and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”e 31it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32But remember the former days in which, having been enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33this indeed, being made a spectacle both by revilings and tribulations; now this, having become partners of those passing through them thus. 34For both you sympathized with the prisoners and you accepted the plundering of your possessions with joy, knowing yourselves to have a better and abiding possession.

35Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. 37For

“Yet in a very while little,

the One coming will come, and will not delay.

38But My righteous onef will live by faith;

and if he might shrink back,

My soul does not take pleasure in him.”g

39But we are not of those drawing back to destruction, but of faith to the preserving of the soul.