lectionary.com

Easter Season · Ascension of the Lord · Year C

Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 or Ephesians 1:17-23

The Once-for-All Sacrifice and Our Confidence to Enter

May 25, 2028

The Blood of the Redeemer, Giovanni Bellini
The Blood of the Redeemer, Giovanni Bellini, c. 1460–1465National Gallery, London
A small early Bellini. Christ stands holding the cross while an angel catches the blood from his side in a chalice, against a marble parapet carved with pagan sacrifices.Hebrews 9 sets the blood of Christ against the older sacrifices, and Bellini carved those older sacrifices into the stone behind him.Giovanni BelliniThe painter who taught Venice to use oil paint and light, and the teacher of both Giorgione and Titian.National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 by buying one banker's collection, and deliberately placed in Trafalgar Square so that people from every part of London could walk to it.National Gallery, London
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 24:46-53Lk 24:46-53
Second ReadingHeb. 9:24-28; 10:19-23Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 orEph. 1:17-23Eph 1:17-23
First ReadingActs 1:1-11
Responsorial PsalmPs. 47:2-3. 6-7. 8-9 (6a)Ps 47:2-3. 6-7. 8-9 (6a)

Overview & Insights

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)

Hebrews argues that Christ entered heaven itself as our great high priest, offering himself once for all to remove sin rather than repeating the yearly sacrifices of the old covenant. Because that sacrifice opened a new and living way into God's presence, believers can draw near with confidence and hold fast to their hope.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 or Ephesians 1:17-23

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 9:24-28Commentary on Heb 9:24-28 Working Preacher

A close reading of Christ's once-for-all appearance in the heavenly sanctuary.

Hebrews 9:24-28 [10:11-18] CommentaryHeb 9:24-28 [10:11-18] Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching-focused reading of Christ's single, sufficient sacrifice.

Hebrews 10 CommentaryHeb 10 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical walkthrough of the confidence to enter God's presence through Christ's blood.

Hebrews 10:19-21 CommentaryHeb 10:19-21 Commentary Precept Austin

A study-Bible style compilation of classic commentators on the 'new and living way.'

Hebrews 9:24 CommentariesHeb 9:24 Commentaries BibleHub

One-page aggregation of public-domain commentaries on Christ entering heaven itself.

Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

Background & Word Study

Hebrews 10:19 InterlinearHeb 10:19 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for 'boldness,' 'new and living way,' and 'draw near.'

Book of Hebrews SummaryBook of Heb Summary BibleProject

A short video mapping how Hebrews presents Jesus as the greater high priest and sacrifice.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Hebrews 10Catena on Heb 10 Catena

Patristic comments assembled verse by verse on the new and living way opened by Christ.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 24:46-53
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.