Jesus: The Greater Covenant

Bible Passage: Hebrews 9:15-28, Hebrews 10:1-18

Summary: These passages reveal how Jesus fulfills the promise of the new covenant through His sacrificial death, contrasting the old sacrificial system with the final, all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ.

Application: This sermon can help Christians realize that their sins are fully atoned for in Christ, freeing them from guilt and encouraging them to live in the fullness of the new covenant relationship with God. It emphasizes the assurance of their salvation and the call to live in light of that grace.

Teaching: The teaching emphasizes that the old covenant rituals were only a shadow of the reality found in Christ. It illustrates the necessity of Jesus’ sacrifice, highlighting that He is the ultimate high priest, and encourages believers to trust in His completed work rather than in their own efforts for righteousness.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the overarching narrative of Scripture, Christ represents the fulfillment of every sacrificial type and shadow, culminating in the perfect sacrifice that secures eternal redemption for believers. The new covenant established through His blood replaces the old covenant, showing Jesus as superior and central to God’s redemptive plan.

Big Idea: Jesus is the greater High Priest and sacrifice, securing for us a new covenant relationship with God and providing complete forgiveness for our sins.

Recommended Study: Consider exploring the theological implications of the new covenant in Logos, particularly focusing on the interplay between Jesus' sacrifice and the old covenant sacrificial system. Look into the Greek text for nuances in terms associated with sacrifice in both Hebrews 9 and 10 to deepen your understanding of their significance. Engaging with commentaries on this passage may also provide insights into how early believers understood their relationship to the old covenant as they embraced the new.

Introduction:

Have you ever done something that you regretted?

Maybe you said something to a significant other that hurt their feelings, Forgot to do that 1 thing your husband or wife asked you to do while they were gone, maybe you turned down friends because you just wanted to stay home but you probably would have had a good time while you were out?

Have you ever thought after that happened, that maybe you should give a piece offering, like giant bag of peanut eminems, or you stop to pick up an coffee, or bring them some blankets when they are cold. Maybe you mow the lawn or clean or do some act of service to make up for it?

Well I bring this up because today we are going to be talking about the biggest offering ever given to us, and the craziest part about this offering is that it the one that gave us the offering did so, not because they did something wrong, but because we did, we are, and are going to continue to do.

We are talking about Jesus, offering us his life, for all of the sins, that WE have done.

1. Mediator of the New Covenant

Hebrews 9:15-22

Perhaps you could emphasize how these verses explain Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant. By His death, He redeems us from the transgressions committed under the first covenant and inaugurates a new relationship with God. The shedding of Jesus' blood fulfills the requirements for forgiveness, surpassing the old sacrifices. Encourage the congregation to rest in the assurance of this complete forgiveness and embrace their identity under the new covenant.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

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 will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will 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.

lets jump right into these words. Bob left us with some good illistrations last week of Jesus as a mediator, pulling fighting kids apart on a playground.

In Hebrews 8:6 “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

Again we see in 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

So we see that Jesus acts as that mediator to god, and the author of Hebrews says that is the Mediator for the covenant.

I won’t go too far down that path since Bob covered that so thoroughly last week, but from that covenant, or that contract between God and Man, Jesus intercedes on behalf of humanity before God. This is because he is uniquely qualified to do so because of his incarnation and appointment as the high priest, as we discussed in previous chapters of Hebrews with the order of malchizdek.

In a covenant, each party makes a promise and agrees to consequences if they fail to keep the promise. In Abrahamic covenant that was established for us, the consequence is death, which we see symobolized by the animals that are cut in 2.

See, Sin is a the breach of contract and it must be paid for in blood. That is why there is so much sacrifice in the old testament, and why the Author tells us that there can be no forgiveness without blood.

In this first section of the scripter The author is drawing parallels from the sacrifices Moses needed to perform, which again. is all very familiar to the jewish people that he is writing to, and the Sacrifice that Jesus had paid for with his life.

Jesus gave us his blood to pay for our breach in contract.

Under the laws that have been established and as they are known, Jesus has paid the cost for our sins with HIS blood.

Thats powerful stuff right there. When I sings songs up here there are so many songs that sing about blood, and when you look at it from surface level, it almost sounds gross. But blood under the law of god is the price for breaking his covenant.

In today land, if break the law, you might have a monitary fee, or jail time, or both. But you don’t have to pay it with blood.

In keeping with the theme for this series, The shedding of Jesus' blood fulfills the requirements for forgiveness, surpassing the old sacrifices. Because Jesus is GREATER, than any other sacrifice that you could ever make.

By His death, He redeems us from the transgressions committed under the first covenant and inaugurates a new relationship with God

Jesus blood that has been shed for us on the cross is the requirement that was needed for us and those that believe in him to be forgiven for our sins.

It allows us to rest in the assurance of this complete forgiveness and embrace our identity under the new covenant that Jesus has created for us.

2. Superior Sacrifice in Heaven

Hebrews 9:23-28

You might explore how Jesus' offering of Himself in the heavenly sanctuary is superior to earthly sacrifices. These verses highlight the eternal and once-for-all nature of Christ's sacrifice. Stress that believers can have confidence because Jesus has appeared in the presence of God on their behalf, securing eternal redemption. Perhaps inspire the congregation to live with a heavenly focus, knowing their sins have been fully addressed by Christ's work.

Hebrews 9:23–28 ESV

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. 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. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 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. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 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.

Here the author starts to talk to us now about the things of and not of this world and what it means. We see these sketches of things in heaven, where we talk about the tent, or the tabernacle ( a sanctuary made by hand) which requires a sacrifice.

And here is where we get a little more historical context into this sacrificial system that was in place during the old testament.

We see them talking of a sacrifice of a blood not their own, as the Levitical priests were allowed to enter that area of the tabernacle known as the holy of holies.

But what the Author also shares with us here is that they were only allowed in there once a year on the Day of Atonement by means of the sacrificial blood of the bulls and goats as was shown to us in

Leviticus 16:14–16 ESV

And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

The Author then takes that script and flips it, saying that Jesus isn’t a priest who simply entered the holy of holies in this place that was made by man, rather he has entered into heaven itself to speak to god on our behalf, again, going back to that notion of Jesus as our mediator for god.

If we need that sacrifice of blood to be forgiven for our sins, we need to look no further because Jesus just paid that price for all of us with his OWN Holy blood.

And Because Jesus went into the true Holy place, he was the only ONE true sacrifice for all people and all time.

That is because Jesus’ sacrifice is superior to the original sacrifical system.

As Believers, we can have confidence in our lives knowing where we will go because Jesus has appeared in the presence of God on our behalf, securing eternal redemption.

And so this should inspire us to live with a heavenly focus. We know where we will go because our sins have been fully addressed by Christ's work.

You might be wondering at the moment what it means to live with a heavenly focus?

Heavenly focus refers to the orientation of a believer's heart and mind towards the things of God and the eternal realities of heaven, rather than the temporal and often distracting concerns of the earthly life. This focus is characterized by a pursuit of spiritual growth, holiness, and a deeper relationship with God.

By diving deeper into your relationship with God and focusing on the things that will glorify him.

Think about how your actions and decisions align with Gods eternal purposes and the advancement of the kingdom of heaven.

Strive to live a life that reflects Christ in your love towards one another, so that all may come to Christ and live in the eternity with him.

3. Shadow to Reality

Hebrews 10:1-18

Maybe focus on how the laws and sacrifices of the old covenant were a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ. These verses culminate in the declaration of the new covenant, where God will remember our sins no more. This emphasizes that, unlike repetitive sacrifices, Jesus' sacrifice is complete. Encourage the audience to stop striving for self-righteousness and instead rest in the grace of Christ's finished work, fostering a life of gratitude and worship.

Hebrews 10:1–8 ESV

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),

Hebrews 10:9–14 ESV

then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Lets take a quick pause there.

This is some pretty sound teaching to read through. Sometimes I think we need a translator to understand some of the words and that we need some historical context.

Here though the Author is VERY clear.

The shadow that the author refers to here is tied in closely to the law of the old testament.

When you see a shadow on the ground, you can follow that shadow to the object that is presenting it.

In this case the shadow is that law of sacrifice, while Jesus is casting that shadow.

It started with one thing to lead the people to another.

We see this happen a lot in the old testament, and since Moses has been the clear description and model of the past for most of hebrews, lets go back to him one more time.

We see the people walking in the desert and struggling.

They get food, but then they hoard it.

They worship a staff, so Moses breaks it.

They begin to steal from each other, kill people, cheat, and God gives them laws.

They wander and complain, but only after they give themselves to god fully do they get to the next step.

God sets them on a Journey, and once they are ready the next thing appears.

Just as in this case, all the laws are the shadow that leads us towards Jesus sacrifice.

only by knowing the importance of the sacrifices can we fully understand what Jesus had done for us.

See, The author of Hebrews touches on the ultimate futility of the sacrificial system. For generations, the people of God were caught in a cycle: they’d sin and offer a sacrifice, then sin and offer another sacrifice. But the blood of bulls and goats were unable to fix the problem (10:4)—which the system itself was intended by God to demonstrate. By his death, a single offering, Jesus has provided forgiveness for all (v. 14).

All of this sacrifice to wipe clean us humans from our dirt and shame leads us back to Jesus.

It all culminates into this establishment of a new covenant for us.

That we can be sanctified, though the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once and for all.

We can’t go back to the past of sacrifices that could never take away our sins, for Jesus who sits at the right had of the father is the mediator for our sins.

So lets pick back up with the last of our scripture for the day.

Hebrews 10:15–18 “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

Hebrews 10:15–18 ESV

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

How encouraging are those words for us to hear? Especially that very last verse. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

We have already been forgiven for our sins.

So often, people who have made a mistake that weighs on their conscience want to make it up to God. They desire to do something to show God they are changed; won’t do it again. Often what they are doing is trying to offer a sacrifice to God. But no sacrifice is needed because Jesus has already provided the perfect sacrifice to make our relationship right with God.

We don’t necessarily need to make it up to God, but instead the restitution we need, however, is in our relationships with one another.

In those times of struggle, we need to rely on the Spirit to help us to do the hard work of making things right with one another.

Like when i’m at home, being selfish in my own actions, not putting the person that I care most about in the world first. It’s hard.

And I don’t know how to always fix myself in those moments or be better for the future, and so I have to pray and stop for a moment and think and allow the spirit to work within me to do better. To act more christlike.

I think one of the hardest things about this particular passage to understand is the general blood for sacrifice. Especially trying to understand in our modern era: blood paying for sin?

But it’s important to understand the underlying principle: crime deserves a punishment.

The judicial system in every country on earth agrees with this same principle: when someone in society has done something against the laws of the society, there is a consequence, sometimes even including death.

Its also important to note that no earthly Judicial system is perfect. I have seen our system fail, on more than 1 occasion. I’m sure that you have as well.

But the only perfect judge is our father in heaven, and knowing that Jesus Christ has taken that punishment for our sins with his life.

And I would love to end this sermon right there, but I think it would be a dis-service to stop right there.

Because I want you to know that while Jesus has died for our sins, it does not mean that you can continue to go and sin. That you should ignore sin, that you can see injustice and just look the other way.

To truly follow Jesus is difficult, and the Bible will challenge us in our behaviors, in how we act towards one another.

Jesus spoke up when things were wrong, when things were right, and he paved a way for us to follow.

While we might be sitting in his shadow, we need to follow it towards the light that is Christ.

Ending

Don’t be complacent in your walk, I want to Encourage you to stop striving for self-righteousness and instead rest in the grace of Christ's finished work.

Live a life worth living that you will be proud to have lived, and foster it with gratitude and worship. Be responsibile for your actions to live a life without regrets.

Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice so that we may live. So lets do our best to be more like him everyday in all that we do.