In order to redeem humanity, two things are necessary: a spotless priest and a sufficient sacrifice. As High Priest, Jesus’ spotlessness is proven by five statements (Hebrews 7:26-28).
One, Jesus is holy (hósios). Hósios is to be distinguished from the more familiar word hagios meaning dedicated to God. Hósios refers to being morally pure and pleasing to God. Two, Jesus is innocent (ákakos). He does not know, think, or practice evil. Three, Jesus is undefiled (amíantos). He is free from all defilements. Four, Jesus is separated from sinners. That is, Jesus was never contaminated by the diseases or illness of those who He healed. Five, Jesus is exalted above the heavens. His present ministry is in Heaven, in the Holy of Holies.
Jesus is not only a spotless priest, but He has provided a sufficient sacrifice. As a spotless priest, Jesus did not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins as the Levitical priests. The Levitical priests were weak sinners needing the sacrifices as much as the people to whom they ministered. The sacrifices in view are those yearly sacrifices offered on Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 9:7).
The reason that Jesus’ sacrifice is more advantageous than the animals offered on the Day of Atonement is that His sacrifice is permanent — once for all. Once for all (ephápax) means that Christ’s sacrifice as the sin offering happened on one occasion to the exclusion of all other occasions.
- For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy (hósios), innocent (ákakos), undefiled (amíantos), separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all (ephápax) when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. - Hebrews 7:26-28
One, Jesus is holy (hósios). Hósios is to be distinguished from the more familiar word hagios meaning dedicated to God. Hósios refers to being morally pure and pleasing to God. Two, Jesus is innocent (ákakos). He does not know, think, or practice evil. Three, Jesus is undefiled (amíantos). He is free from all defilements. Four, Jesus is separated from sinners. That is, Jesus was never contaminated by the diseases or illness of those who He healed. Five, Jesus is exalted above the heavens. His present ministry is in Heaven, in the Holy of Holies.
Jesus is not only a spotless priest, but He has provided a sufficient sacrifice. As a spotless priest, Jesus did not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins as the Levitical priests. The Levitical priests were weak sinners needing the sacrifices as much as the people to whom they ministered. The sacrifices in view are those yearly sacrifices offered on Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 9:7).
- …make atonement for yourself and for the people; then make the offering for the people, that you may make atonement for them… - Leviticus 9:7
The reason that Jesus’ sacrifice is more advantageous than the animals offered on the Day of Atonement is that His sacrifice is permanent — once for all. Once for all (ephápax) means that Christ’s sacrifice as the sin offering happened on one occasion to the exclusion of all other occasions.
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