Hebrews 9:1-28
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings —external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance —now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Devotion
The details and implications of the ministry of Christ are clearly seen in this portion of the epistle. The primary emphasis from 9:11-10:18 is on the finality of Christ’s sacrifice. Of all the millions of lambs that had been slain, Jesus was the “last lamb”. His blood was the last that had to be shed to satisfy God. This is especially significant for these Hebrews who were considering a return to the old sacrificial ritual. They had apparently not grasped the full implications of the death of Christ. A solid grasp of the meaning and implications of Christ’s death is essential for all Christians today. Assurance of salvation depends upon the appropriation of these crucial truths concerning the cross.
In verses 1-7, the writer reminds his Hebrew audience of the purpose and function behind the old ritual. Under the old ritual, access to God was severely limited and heavily regulated. The Holy of Holies was where God’s presence dwelt. This area of the tabernacle could only be entered by the high priest. He could only enter it once a year, on the Day of Atonement. He had to enter with a blood sacrifice to atone for his own sins and the sins of the people.
In verses 8-9, we see the significance of the old ritual. Here the author makes a clear distinction between the outer and inner courts of the tabernacle. We see that as long as the outer tabernacle is standing, access to God is limited. The way of full access to God has yet to be revealed, as long as the outer tabernacle is in use. The two tabernacles typify the separation that exists between God and man as a result of sin. The gifts and sacrifices which were offered had limited usefulness. They related to temporary regulations and could serve for external cleansing, but not for internal cleansing.
In the remaining verses of this chapter, the author points out that Christ has entered the real Holy Place, heaven, once for all, by the means of His own blood sacrifice. The result is that He obtained eternal redemption from sin. So, we see that the blood of Christ is far superior to any quantity or quality of blood offered under the old ritual. His death was the redemption price for the sins committed under the first covenant. Therefore, His death became the basis for the New Covenant.
Christ is now pictured as having entered the true Holy Place. He now appears for us in the presence of God. There is no dividing wall or curtain between Him and the Father. His means of entrance was His once for all sacrifice. The writer closes out this chapter by assuring his readers that Christ will appear a second time. However, when He appears again, it will not be for the purpose of bearing sin. This He has done “once for all”. His second appearance will be for “salvation” to those who are eagerly awaiting His return. The word “salvation” here refers to final deliverance from the presence of sin (Glorification).
Questions to Ponder
What purpose did the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament serve? Read Matthew 27:50-51. At which time did the veil of the temple tear into two pieces? How does this historic event fit in with the picture painted in Hebrews 9:11-12? Christ is currently appearing in God’s presence as both Priest and Lamb. Does this bring you comfort? What practical implications does this have for every believer? What did John the Baptist mean when he cried out, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”? How does the death of Christ relate to the New Covenant?
Prayer Points
- Praise God for being the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Praise Him for being the body that was broken for us.
- Thank Him for being the Servant of All and for patiently enduring as he drank the cup of wrath that we deserved, all so that we would be saved.
- Thank Him for His faithful intercession and that we are mysteriously hidden with Christ in heavenly places – only because of His work on the cross.
- Ask the Lord to help you know Him better as you meet with Him daily in His Word and in community with others.
Suggested Prayer
Thank You Lord that Your blood paid the price for sin and thank You for the reality that You will also return for us in final deliverance. Oh Lord, keep our eyes on You, give us a heart of expectancy. Thank You Lord that we can come to You with confidence into the Holy of holies by Your blood. Remind us of this glorious reality. Cause our hearts to hear You inviting us to come to You and to be holy as You are holy. Help us to tremble in Your holy presence. In the Name of Jesus Christ I ask, amen.