Sermons on Hebrews 10:19-20
The various sermons below interpret Hebrews 10:19-20 by focusing on the symbolic tearing of the temple veil, which represents the newfound access believers have to God through Jesus Christ. Both interpretations emphasize that this act was initiated by God, marking the end of the old covenant's restrictions and the beginning of a direct relationship with God. The sermons use the metaphor of the veil being torn to illustrate that Jesus's body was the ultimate sacrifice, providing a new and living way to God. This shared interpretation underscores the profound theological shift from separation to direct access, highlighting the significance of Jesus's sacrifice as the means by which believers can now approach God without barriers.
While both sermons agree on the central theme of access to God, they diverge in their theological emphases. One sermon focuses on the theme of substitutionary atonement, where Jesus's sacrifice not only bore humanity's sins but also transferred his righteousness to believers, framing it as a profound exchange. This interpretation contrasts Jesus's obedience with Adam's disobedience, emphasizing the transformative nature of Jesus's sacrifice. In contrast, another sermon highlights the abolition of the old covenant's separation, emphasizing the permanence and irrevocability of the new access to God. This sermon underscores that the tearing of the veil signifies the end of ceremonial law, marking a new era where believers can approach God directly, with the veil torn apart, never to be restored.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Interpretation:
Forsaken for Us: The Depth of Christ's Sacrifice (Boulder Mountain Church) interprets Hebrews 10:19-20 by emphasizing the tearing of the curtain as a divine act of vandalism, symbolizing the removal of barriers between humanity and God. The sermon highlights that Jesus, as the high priest, did not carry a sacrifice because he was the sacrifice, and his death opened direct access to God for all believers. This interpretation underscores the significance of Jesus's body as the curtain that was torn, providing a vivid metaphor for the new access to God.
Access Granted: The Significance of the Torn Veil (Spurgeon Sermon Series) interprets Hebrews 10:19-20 by emphasizing the rending of the temple veil as a profound symbol of the new access believers have to God through Jesus. Spurgeon highlights the veil's tearing as a divine act that signifies the end of the old covenant's restrictions and the beginning of a new, direct relationship with God. He uses the metaphor of the veil being rent from top to bottom to illustrate that this access is initiated by God, not man. Spurgeon also draws a parallel between the physical veil and the flesh of Jesus, suggesting that just as the veil was torn, so was Jesus' body, providing a new and living way to God.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Theological Themes:
Forsaken for Us: The Depth of Christ's Sacrifice (Boulder Mountain Church) presents the theme of substitutionary atonement, where Jesus's sacrifice on the cross not only bore the sins of humanity but also transferred his righteousness to believers. This theme is expanded by explaining that Jesus's obedience led to his being crushed by God, contrasting with the disobedience of Adam, which led to death. The sermon uniquely frames this as a profound exchange, where believers are treated as Jesus is treated by God.
Access Granted: The Significance of the Torn Veil (Spurgeon Sermon Series) presents the theme of the abolition of the old covenant's separation between God and humanity. Spurgeon explains that the tearing of the veil signifies the end of the ceremonial law and the beginning of a new era where believers can approach God directly. He emphasizes that this access is not temporary or conditional but permanent and irrevocable, as the veil was not merely rolled up but torn apart, never to be restored.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Forsaken for Us: The Depth of Christ's Sacrifice (Boulder Mountain Church) provides historical context by explaining the significance of the Passover and the role of the high priest in the Old Testament. The sermon details how the priest would carry sacrifices for atonement, and how Jesus, as the ultimate high priest, became the sacrifice himself. The tearing of the curtain is described as a pivotal moment that abolished the old system of atonement, allowing believers direct access to God.
Access Granted: The Significance of the Torn Veil (Spurgeon Sermon Series) provides historical context by describing the construction and significance of the temple veil, which was made of fine twined linen with cherubim and was a substantial fabric. Spurgeon explains that the veil represented the separation between God and humanity under the old covenant, where only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. The tearing of the veil at Jesus' death symbolized the end of this separation and the fulfillment of the law.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Cross-References in the Bible:
Forsaken for Us: The Depth of Christ's Sacrifice (Boulder Mountain Church) references Psalm 22:1, which Jesus quotes on the cross, highlighting the prophetic nature of the psalm and its fulfillment in Jesus's crucifixion. The sermon also references Genesis and the story of Adam to contrast Jesus's obedience with Adam's disobedience, illustrating the theological concept of Jesus as the second Adam who brings life.
Access Granted: The Significance of the Torn Veil (Spurgeon Sermon Series) references Matthew 27:50-51, which describes the moment of Jesus' death and the tearing of the temple veil. Spurgeon uses this passage to support the idea that Jesus' death was the catalyst for the new access to God. He also references the Old Testament law, particularly the restrictions on entering the Holy of Holies, to contrast the old covenant with the new access provided through Jesus.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Christian References outside the Bible:
Forsaken for Us: The Depth of Christ's Sacrifice (Boulder Mountain Church) cites John Stott, who explains the essence of sin as man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. This reference is used to deepen the understanding of the substitutionary atonement theme, emphasizing the profound nature of Jesus's sacrifice.
Access Granted: The Significance of the Torn Veil (Spurgeon Sermon Series) explicitly references the sermon delivered by C.H. Spurgeon on March 25, 1888. Spurgeon is a well-known preacher and theologian, and his interpretation of the rending of the veil is used to emphasize the theological significance of Jesus' death and the new covenant.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Forsaken for Us: The Depth of Christ's Sacrifice (Boulder Mountain Church) uses the illustration of a hospital visit on Good Friday as a reminder of the effects of sin in the world. The pastor describes walking through the hospital as a form of sermon preparation, reflecting on the physical manifestations of sin and the hope offered through Jesus's victory over death.
Access Granted: The Significance of the Torn Veil (Spurgeon Sermon Series) uses the analogy of a public building being opened by a king or prince to illustrate the concept of the way to God being dedicated for believers. Spurgeon compares the dedication of a new road or building to the way to God through Jesus, emphasizing that it is set apart and consecrated for believers to use freely.