The divine services of the first covenant: the rites and bloody sacrifices, 1–10; are far inferior to the “dignity and perfection of the blood and sacrifice of Christ, 11–28. (92)
- “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ” vv. 13, 14. This is the superior efficacy of His sacrifice. The particular reference in the “ashes of an heifer” being to Lev. 16:14, 16, and Num. 19:2–17, with which should be carefully compared John 13:1–15. An heifer having been burned, its ashes were preserved, that, being mixed with pure water, they might be sprinkled on persons who had become legally unclean. They had an efficacy, for they availed to the purifying of the flesh, which was a temporary, external and ceremonial cleansing. “It freed the outward man from ceremonial uncleanness and from temporal punishment, and entitled him to, and fitted him for, some external privileges.” M. Henry Typically, they pointed to that spiritual, inward and eternal cleansing which the blood of Christ provides. “The defilements which befall believers are many, and some of them unavoidable whilst they live in this world: yea, the best of their services have defilements. Were it not that the blood of Christ, in its purifying virtue, is in a continual readiness unto faith, that God therein had opened a fountain for sin and uncleanness, the worship of the church would not be acceptable unto Him. In a constant application thereunto, doth the exercise of faith much consist” (John Owen).
- “How much more shall the blood of Christ,” etc. If the blood and ashes of beasts, were efficacious unto an external and temporary justification and sanctification—that is, the removal of both guilt and ceremonial pollution—how much more shall the sacrifice of Him who was promised of old, was the Anointed and therefore the One ordained and accepted of God, effectually and eternally cleanse those to whom it is applied “The blood of Christ is comprehensive of all that He did and suffered in order unto our redemption, inasmuch as the shedding of it was the way and means whereby He offered Himself (in and by it) unto God” (John Owen). “Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself.” Christ “offered Himself” to God: that is, in His entire person, while acting in His mediatorial office. As the Mediator, He took upon Him the “form of a servant,” and therefore was He filled and energized by the Spirit in all that He did. Christ was “obedient unto death:” as He was subject to the Spirit in going into the wilderness Matt. 4:1, so the Spirit led Him a willing victim to the cross. This wondrous statement shows us the perfect cooperation of the Eternal Three, concurring in the great work of redemption.
- Christ offered Himself “without spot,” to God. “It speaks of Christ’s fitness and meetness to be a sacrifice for our sins. Not only was there no blemish in His nature and no defect in His character, but there was every moral excellence. He had fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed, having loved the Lord His God with all His heart and His neighbor as Himself. Therefore was He fully qualified to act for His people.” Pink A.W. What the efficacy of Christ’s blood is; it is very great. For, First, “Purge your conscience from dead works.” It reaches to the very soul and conscience, the defiled soul, defiled with sin, which is a dead work, proceeds from spiritual death, and tends to death eternal. As the touching of a dead body gave a legal uncleanness, so meddling with sin gives a moral and real defilement, fixes it in the very soul; but the blood of Christ has efficacy to purge it out. The “conscience” is here specially singled out because it is the proper seat of the guilt of sin, charging it on the soul, and hindering an approach unto God. By “dead works” are meant our sins as unto their guilt and defilement— True believers are delivered from the curse of the law, which is death. Secondly, It is sufficient to enable us to serve the living God, This is the advantage and blessing which we receive from our conscience being purged. Christians have both the right and the liberty to “serve God.” But the sacrifice of Christ has purchased the gift of the Spirit unto all for whom He died, and the Spirit renews and equips the saint for acceptable worship. “This is the end of our purgation: for we are not washed by Christ that we may plunge ourselves again into new filth, but that our purity may serve to glorify God” (John Calvin). Under the word “serve” is comprised all the duties which we owe unto God, not only as His creatures, but as His children. Then let us earnestly seek grace to put Romans 12:1 into daily practice.
