We Have An Altar, Hebrews 13:10-13
STATEMENT OF FACT - 13:10
AWe have an altar@ - ecomen - Pres Act Ind – Notice that we currently have an altar. This is critical for many reasons.
*The altar is a reality for the believer at every juncture of life
*The altar is a consistent reminder of our forgiveness purchased at Calvary
*The altar is an ongoing present circumstance for every believer
*The altar is our assurance that we have constant communication with the Lord
*The altar provides a place and means of true worship before our Savior
*The altar reminds the believer of his/her constant need
*The altar assures us of God’s constant blessing
*The altar is God’s promise that we do have the privilege to “eat” there
*The altar conveys the greatness of grace, rather than the law
Whereof they have no right to eat@ ecousin - Pres Act Ind - “which serve the tabernacle@ - latreuonteV - to provide religious service, perform sacred services, to offer gifts, worship God by priests, to discharge the duty of priest.
They have no right or delegated authority. The Old Testament Jews could not eat of this New Testament altar. They are still saved by faith in the future work of Messiah, but the Old Testament sacrifice only pictured the New Testament work of Christ. This was pictured in the fact that the meat was burned outside the camp (fenced area around the Tabernacle).
Christ is not only our sacrifice reconciling us to God, but, the only sacrifice that provides peace with God. This is the bread that came down from heaven and was offered to all men. We cannot enter into the New Testament sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, if we are still under the law.
EXPLANATION OF VERSE 10 - 13:11-12
AFor the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burned without the camp@ - arcierewV
13:12 AWherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people@ - ina agiash - Aor Act Subj // Cf. Heb. 10:10-14
With His own blood, suffered without the gate.@ - epaqe - Heb. 9:13-19
Day of Atonement - neither the priests nor the people were allowed to eat the sacrifices that were offered. The bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp, because these animal sacrifices did not bring reconciliation for the sinner.
Jesus was slain "outside the camp," that is outside the Tabernacle of Jerusalem. The Jews permitted Christ=s death outside the city gates, but continued the temple sacrifices in violation of God's will (Heb. 9:8-12). In 70 AD God terminated this sacrifice. When a Jew left the temple sacrifices to trust in the one true living sacrifice of Christ, He would need to separate himself from Judaism completely!
Let=s picture ourselves in the desert - around us are spread the tents of Israel. The men dwelling in them are all worshiping the LORD just as their fathers had done before: looking for God's mercy through rites, ceremonies and bleeding animals. Now the Lord Jesus appears in our midst and proclaims Himself as One and Complete sacrifice, doing away with all ceremonies, sacrifices, etc.
The Jew rejected their Messiah, casting Him outside the camp and crucified Him!
So the author of Hebrews says, "Let us go forth therefore unto him" - EXHORTATION TO DECIDE- ADMONITION
1. To openly profess Christ even when reproached and cursed
2. To make Christ crucified our only hope in life
CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE ALTAR - 13:13
ALet us go forth therefore unto Him@ - exercwmeqa - Pres – “come unto ME…”
AWithout the camp, bearing His reproach.@ - feronteV which is a Pres Act Ptc to carry a burden, with the suggestion of force or speed. Heb. 11:24-28; Matt. 16:24-25
"without the camp@ - All the way with the Savior, complete faith in His sacrifice, complete
separation - take up thy cross - "bearing his reproach" - Sharing His rejection: exclusion from Judaism. What can be more honorable than to be as Christ was? If we are reproached with Him here, we will receive a crown of glory.
PRIZING THE CROSS: The historian Tacitus stated that there was an amber ring among the Romans that had no value; yet for some reason the emperor began to wear one. The ring became expensive and of high esteem, became a fashion among the Romans, and was a costly item. *So the Savior has born the cross. This cross has now become of great value and high esteem to the true believer.
WHAT THIS ALTAR PICTURES:
*The altar is a place of sacrifice for sin: Heb. 7:24-28; 9:26
*The altar is a place of forgiveness of sin: Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14
*The altar is a place of redemption from sin: Rom. 3:23-25
*The altar is a place of promise: John 14:1-2
*The altar is a place of challenge: Romans 12:1-2
All the tears of penitence could not wipe it away, all the blood of martyrs could not cancel it, no length of time will banish it, no human ingenuity can terminate it, no canonization by a church will change the death that sin brings! It is only the blood of Christ sacrificed on the altar of Calvary that can completely cancel the debt of sin and wash it away forever! It implies that their must be a priest that offers the sacrifice.