Lesson 19 – Purpose of forgiveness
Read Hebrews 10 - www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.10.esv

In the last lesson we studied how the sacrifice was important so we could understand Christ’s sacrifice for our sin. In this lesson we will see how forgiveness is different than a sacrifice.

Remember, God said in the verses of our last lesson that He did not desire sacrifices and burnt offerings. Why, then, would He tell people to bring this to Him as substitutes for their sin? He did so for us.

Let’s go back to my story of me wanting to replace the window for my dad’s car that has been broken by a falling tree limb. My dad knows I don’t have the money to replace that window because it’s a specially made window and I am still paying for school expenses. So my dad looks for a used window that will fit, and then tells me where I can go buy that used window. I bring it to him and see immediately the window is much different than the correct one, and almost all that can be said for the one I bought is that it will keep out the rain and cold wind.


He has found a substitute for what I’m trying to replace for him. Does he really want that substitute window in his new car? No. But it will do until he can get the real thing.

What is the real thing for which God’s substitute is just a temporary fix? Forgiveness. Cleansing.

Nobody’s sin could ever be forgiven or completely washed away with the blood of a sacrificial animal. As we read in verse 11 of our chapter, priests had to make these sacrifices on a daily basis. And even though they were done repeatedly, they were never able to take away the sin – this blood could only cover it up for a little while.

Jesus’ sacrifice was different than the sacrifice of the blood of animals. He made His sacrifice once, and as we read in verse 12, He sat down at the right hand of God. Remember the lessons when we studied the Tabernacle? There is not a single chair anywhere in that building. The priests who served could not sit down, because their work was never done. Jesus sat down, because His work of the forgiveness of our sin is finished. It never needs to be made again. Once you have accepted His payment on your behalf for your sin, it never needs to be made again. This is why we read in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”

But God takes it another step, He says He doesn’t even remember our sin! And still another step, He says He writes His laws on our hearts and minds. How does He do this? By giving us His Spirit to live inside us and teach us every moment we pay attention to Him the ways of God.

 “Where there is forgiveness of [lawless deeds], there is no longer any offering for sin.” Can you understand the freedom of forgiveness? We will look at the responsibility we have as a result in our next lesson.