Hebrews 9
July 6
Reading: Hebrews 9
1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But 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) 12 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. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a covenant is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a covenant takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you." 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:1-10 presents the design and practice of Tabernacle worship as “a symbol for the present time.” (vs. 9) In verses 9-10 the author makes it clear that since the articles involved in Tabernacle worship are only physical, they are ultimately unable to make us perfect.
Verses 11-14 explain that because Jesus Christ is the Great High Priest (Hebrews 3-8) of a spiritual Tabernacle, because His sacrifice is with His own blood, because He has obtained eternal redemption; therefore, His blood is truly able to make the worshipper perfect before the Living God. This is why He is the mediator of a new and better covenant. (vss. 15-22)
The argument in verses 15-22 moves from covenant to blood to communicate the efficacy of this new ministry of our new covenant mediator. It can be a little confusing until you realize that the Greek word “covenant” is also used for a legal will. The word has both a legal and religious aspect and in these verses the author is appealing to both. For a person’s will to go into effect, that person must die.
Then we get to “blood.” In Leviticus 17:11-14 and Deuteronomy 12:23 we learn that blood is identified with life. “The life of all flesh is its blood” and “the blood is the life.” Therefore, the blood of the eternally perfect High Priest and sacrifice, Jesus Christ, can give life forever. His blood can bring perfect cleansing and absolute forgiveness. Moreover, Jesus accomplishes this for us once and for all time. (vss. 23-26)
Hebrews 9:27-28 are two verses worth committing to memory. They perfectly express the Gospel as presented in the letter to the Hebrews. We are destined for death and judgment, but Jesus Christ has born our sins, once for all, and He is coming again for all who trust in Him and are ready for His return.
Are your sins covered by the blood of Jesus Christ? Have you believed and placed yourself in Christ? Are you continuing in that trust, ready to meet the Lord, not wandering away into sin?
According to Hebrews 9:27 we each only get one chance at living and trusting Jesus Christ as our perfect High Priest and sacrifice. There is no reincarnation. There is no purgatory. There is no last chance at salvation after you die. For you and me, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)