Keys of Truth: Hebrews (Chapter 9)

Chapter summary:
The writer reminds his readers that every element of the Mosaic Covenant had special significance, for it reflected realities in heaven (9:1-5). But the most significant act of all was performed on the Day of Atonement. Then the high priest entered the inner room of the tabernacle, the most holy place, carrying the blood of an atoning sacrifice (vv. 6-7). The curtain separating this inner room symbolized the fact that under Mosaic Law no one had direct access into God's presence (vv. 8-10).

But our High Priest, Jesus, entered heaven itself, bearing His own blood. By His sacrifice he obtained eternal salvation for us (vv. 11-14). Christ is thus mediator of a New Covenant, activated by His death. This is in fact the significance of Old Testament sacrifices: in cleansing earthly things they symbolize the cleansing Jesus has won for us (vv. 15-22). Animal sacrifices were sufficient for earthly copies, but Christ alone could enter heaven and then with His own blood. When He did He put away our sin once for all, all by the one sufficient and awesome sacrifice of Himself (vv. 23-28).

The believer’s application: Have confidence that what Jesus did is enough!

INSIGHT
“Sacrifice”: The offering of sacrifices was practiced throughout the ancient world, being viewed as food for the gods. In the Old Testament, however, blood sacrifices were not viewed as food. The significance lay in the blood of sacrifice for, as Leviticus 17:11 says, "I have given it [the blood] to you to make atonement for yourselves." In essence sacrifice throughout sacred history has graphically indicated that sin deserves death, but that God will accept the death of a substitute in place of the life of the sinner.

Christ's sacrifice alone was capable of cleansing a lost humanity so that we might have access to heaven itself and stand before a holy God. The teaching of this great section of Hebrews is that Jesus' one sacrifice cleanses our conscience (9:14), does away with sin (v. 26), perfects believers, provides a perfect forgiveness (10:11-18), and makes all other sacrifices irrelevant. The Old Testament Age truly is past. A new and far better age has dawned.

“Approaching God” (9:8):
The O.T. system permitted the Israelites to come close, but not pull aside the last veil and enter God's presence. What a stunning difference in our relationship with God through Jesus. Through Him "we may approach God with freedom and confidence" (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16).

“Cleansed from acts that lead to death” (9:14):
The O.T. sacrifices worked externally. Christ's sacrifice works internally. With a cleansed conscience we are no longer bound by guilt to our past. We are no longer overwhelmed with a sense of our inadequacy. Our past sins are gone, and we are released to serve God.

"Forgiveness" (9:22):
Forgiveness in Scripture is never a cheap, "Oh, forget it," that simply shrugs off sin. Forgiveness is expensive, purchased at the price of blood. The O.T. sacrifices revealed how forgiveness would be obtained. But only the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for us was sufficient to pay sin's penalty. How awesome that Jesus was willing to die that you and I might be forgiven.