At our Sunday night Lord’s Supper service, Jason Tresser pointed us to the statement in Hebrews 10:10 that “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It’s not the only place in Hebrews we get “once for all” language.

“It was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:26–27)

The “once for all” redeeming work of Christ is larger than his atoning death on the cross, though that was certainly a once-for-all sacrifice. It also applies to the holy, innocent, unstained life Jesus lived from his first breath to his last breath, fulfilling the law in our place, the “one man’s obedience” that is able to make “many righteous” (cf. Romans 5:19).

The “once for all” applies, not only to the sacrifice Jesus offered (his life in our place at the cross), but to the priesthood he has now taken on as he stands in heaven as our eternal advocate.

“When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11–12)

With this in mind, consider our statement of faith #5, on the Work of Christ.

We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.

This Sunday, Jason Oakes will preach on our fifth statement of faith and Joe Orr will lead our sung worship. Would you pray for us as they prepare this week? And pray that we would, in increasing measure “draw near to God in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22), “hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23), and “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as we see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!