If you remember from the first notes, I sent out on Hebrews we establish that this book has an emphasis on Jesus being THE High Priest. The writer of Hebrews continues by showing us the importance of the sacrifice. We know that every year on the day of atonement the high priest would enter the most holy place, make an animal sacrifice, and then sprinkle the blood of the animal on the mercy seat which was part of the ark of the covenant. This happened year after year, every year the Israelites were faced with the fact that they were sinners and there needed to be a sacrifice for their sins to be atoned. It is interesting though, that here, the writer of Hebrews says v4 “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” So, if this act of atonement of sacrificing animals never actually took the sins of the people away why was it commanded to be done? The answer is that these sacrifices were merely pointing to what Christ would do on the cross. Every year they were reminded they were sinners; they needed their sins to be atoned for and forgiven. That sacrifice was meant to point the Israelites to the Messiah that would come to pay for their sins once and for all. Brothers and sisters, when we sin against God, there is no priest that must make a sacrifice on our behalf, but CHRIST took the sins of his people on the cross once and for all. When Satan and the world come pointing their finger at us, showing us our sins, we can say my sins have been paid for once and for all. V14 “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” What a beautiful picture that is, that even though we are still growing, still maturing, still being sanctified, we have been perfected through what Christ has done. That means that even though we are not where we are supposed to be in putting sin to death and being holy, Jesus’ righteousness covers us so that when God sees us he does not see our imperfections, but he sees Christ. Because of Christ, we are able to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of our faith, knowing that we can hold fast to this hope because he who promised is faithful. This is such an encouraging and sweet reminder that if we have believed in Christ and have repented of our sins, we can hold fast to this because he is faithful. That in itself is what should drive us in communion with others, knowing of the faith that we share should help us to stir one another to love and good works and to be faithful in serving and congregating with the local church as v24 & 25 state. It is so humbling being reminded that I am a sinner that has been saved by grace because Christ's sacrifice was once and for all.