Entering the Holy Place Hebrews 9:1-10

-The Old Testament worship gives us a picture of New Testament hope

When is the last time that you used White-Out? I think that all of us here are old enough to remember it and many to have made daily acquaintance with it. It was a great tool; wherever there was an error, you could just put a little White-Out on the mistake and it would go away! Unfortunately, it never quite worked that way. It made things better, but it never made things right. Now, in the era of digital communication and the delete button, we don’t really think about the evidence of error that used to be so much a part of our lives. We have a new way of doing things and it has changed everything.

I. There is a Barrier Between God and Man vv. 1-5

In our passage, the author makes clear that the Old Testament worship ought not be disregarded completely.

The Old Testament gives us a picture of our relationship with God

There are regulations for worship and they inform us in important ways

In the tabernacle, there were sections divided by curtains

These curtains were important because they set the space and communicated that the worshipper was entering the presence of God

In the first space, there were 2 important pieces of furniture

A lampstand that reminded them of God’s presence

A table to hold bread, indicating that we will be entering into God’s presence

In the second space, there were 3 more important items mentioned:

The altar of incense stood between the two and was one final reminder that you were entering God’s presence

Inside the most holy place was the ark of the covenant, a box covered with gold, containing:

A golden urn of manna- a reminder of the people’s grumbling and God’s provision

Aaron’s staff- a reminder of God’s authority and their rejection of it

The Ten Commandments- a reminder of God’s Law and their disobedience to it

Over the top of this was a lid with cherubim, the mercy seat, where the presence of God dwelt

When God “looked down” He saw the symbols of the people’s sin

However, when the blood of a sacrifice was sprinkled on the mercy seat, God looked on the offerer with grace

All of this gives a powerful picture of a spiritual truth:

We are sinners trying to enter into the presence of a holy God

We cannot enter in; there is a barrier between us and Him

The only way that we can enter is through the blood of a sacrifice!

Jessica Baker and her husband were planning on going and RSVP'd to a no-kids-allowed wedding a few weeks ago, but Baker's mom called the day of the event to say she couldn't watch the Bakers' daughter, so they had no choice but to stay home. Then earlier this week, Baker received a bill for $75.90 — $60 total for the herb-crusted walleye she and her husband requested in their RSVP, plus a $7.95 fee per person for tax and the service charge.

"This cost reflects the amount paid by bride and groom for meals that were RSVPed for, reimbursement and explanation for no show, card, call or text would be appreciated," the bill said.

II. Priests Serve to Bridge the Gap vv. 6-7

Next, the author makes it clear that the spaces described are not for everyone; there are priests who enter there

The first space, the holy space is regularly accessible

Multiple priests on an ongoing basis enter here

There are daily rituals that must be performed and God’s servants the priests are given the right to enter here

However, the second space is even more sacred:

It is limited to a singular priest, the high priest

It is limited to a specific time, the Day of Atonement

It is limited to a particular task, offering a blood sacrifice

This is for himself

This is for the sins of the people- specifically the unintentional sins

This image is a very powerful one; a singular servant who enters the presence of God to make an offering for all of the people

It finds its fulfillment in Christ!

John 11:49–52

[49] But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. [50] Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” [51] He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, [52] and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. (ESV)

III. Only Jesus Could Really Make a Way vv. 8-10

Our passage concludes with a note:

By this (the Old Testament worship in the tabernacle) the Holy Spirit is making a point

There is a negation here.

The worship that takes place in the Temple does not make a way for man to get to God

It simply illustrates the broader problem; we do not have a way to get to God.

The way has not been opened for us

This is a fruitless arrangement:

Gifts and sacrifices are offered, but they cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper

The gifts are given, but nothing really changes

There is no true forgiveness of sins

There is no real access to God

Instead, this is a temporary solution

It deals with physical matters and obedience to the code of the Law

It is waiting for a greater fulfillment that can only be found in Christ

This is the fundamental problem that we are all facing. There is no way for us to go to God on our own. God had to make a way for us to get to Him and Jesus is that way.

300 Illustrations for Preachers Lost People Walk in Circles

A study published in the journal Current Biology in 2009 provides the first empirical evidence that humans do indeed walk in circles when they have no directional landmarks. “The tendency is so strong, in fact, that when volunteers are blindfolded, they virtually never travel more than 100 yards from their starting point, no matter how long they are given to walk.”

John 14:5–6

[5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)