Hebrews 9:1-28

A reminder and discipline

When a large city is in the midst of a complicated construction project, alternative arrangements have to be made in order to allow the daily traffic to get through while the project is in process. Ordinary life has to go on and people still have to get to work. So, in addition to the eventual plan—the great design in the mid of the planners and somewhere no doubt in a model under a glass case in City Hall—there have to exist all sorts of preparatory and intermediate plans. While the work is going on, the city needs to build extra temporary roads going this way and that, which they will then demolish when the final stage is complete. No doubt this work, too, subdivides into several stages.

The main point to which Hebrews now comes, in onec sense, si that God has all along had a master plan for how the world would be put right. Yet, for reasons that people may only be dimly aware of, this cannot be done all at once. Temporary arrangements have to be made to keep things flowing, to regulate ongoing human life, until the appointed time.

Brandi

Hebrews 9:1–5 ESV

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.

MB

Hebrews 9:6–10 ESV

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.

Rachel

Hebrews 9:11–14 ESV

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.

Brady

Hebrews 9:15–22 ESV

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.

Nic

Through Jesus, God has acted with finality to destroy the effects of sin.

2. The Old Service and the New: the Atonement of the Law and the Atonement of Christ (c. 9.).

Having pointed out generally the new scene and the new conditions of Christ’s High-priestly work, the writer goes on to consider it in detail in comparison with that of the Levitical system. He (1) describes with affectionate reverence the ordered arrangements of the Old Sanctuary and its furniture, and the limited privileges of the Old Priesthood (9:1–10); and then (2) he places in contrast with these the High-priestly Atonement of Christ resting upon a New Covenant, of which the issue will yet be revealed in glory (9:11–28).

Westcott, Brooke Foss, ed. The Epistle to the Hebrews the Greek Text with Notes and Essays. 3d ed. London: Macmillan, 1903. Print. Classic Commentaries on the Greek New Testament.

9:1–10 In this section, the author focuses on provisions within the tabernacle. After describing the various objects associated with the priesthood (vv. 2–5), the author continues by describing the regulation and practice of religious life (vv. 6–10). The infrequency of access to God under the old covenant serves to demonstrate that such an arrangement could function only provisionally (vv. 7–8). Furthermore, the sacrifices’ failure to properly cleanse indicates the need for a more effective sacrifice (vv. 9–10). This description of the tabernacle leads into 9:11–10:18, which discusses Christ’s priestly ministry within the heavenly sanctuary.

Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.

We have this beautiful, concise, yet sobering picture of the Old Covenant. However, the ceremonies and sacrifices of the tabernacle did not destroy the effects of sin.

A couple things to point out here regarding the first covenant and it’s inneffective sanctuary and ceremonies.

1—It provided regulations for worship and a place for worship. It was an earthly sanctuary—material, imperfect, and temporary.

2—It represented a separation between a holy God and a sinful people.

3—It was a reminder of their separation between a holy God and a sinful people.

4—It did not bring a lasting atonement but was only temporary.

5—The daily repetition of ministries showed that they never resulted in access to God. It was ongoing.

6—The gifts and sacrifices were imperfect and temporary.

Now, we look at what the author of Hebrews reminds his readers about the effective remedy for sin.

Jesus offered a remedy for sin which cleansed the conscience, offered forgiveness, and never needed repetition.

9:11–28 In this section, the author focuses on Christ’s death (which secures redemption; vv. 11–14), Christ’s mediation of the new covenant (vv. 15–22), and the perfection of Christ’s sacrifice (vv. 23–28).

Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.

1—Jesus came as high priest through the greater and more perfect tabernacle—one that was not part of this creation.

2—Jesus ministered in heaven before God and secured our acceptance

3—Jesus’ redemptive work consisted of offering his own blood, not the blood of goats and calves.

4—Jesus brings a lasting atonement that is eternal.

5—Jesus’ atonement was once and for all. It was finished.

6—Jesus’ gift and sacrifice were perfect and eternal.

The real cleansing from sin against God did not come from sacrificing animals but from the sacrifice of Christ.

The purpose of the new covenant Jesus established was to provide an eternal inheritance for believers. Because of Christ, sin no longer can bar believers from divine blessings.

Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.

Will after someone dies

Jewish Christians in the first century were acquainted with a system of worship which reminded them of their sin (9:1–10). Individual Jews could not come into God’s presence. Once a year the high priest carried the blood of sacrifices into the Most Holy Place of the Jerusalem Temple (see v. 7). The fact that he could only approach God once a year demonstrated limited access to God. The annual offering of sacrifices only reminded the high priest and the worshipers that they had unpardoned sin. Sincere Jews could really hate themselves. They did not experience forgiveness!

The ministry of Jesus changed all of this, both for first-century Christians and for believers today. Jesus’ death touched the conscience (vv. 11–14). The holy influence of his death developed in his people a desire to serve the living God. Jesus’ death also brought permanent forgiveness (vv. 15–22). Jesus’ death was permanently effective (vv. 23–28). It required no repetition. The single offering of his life removed the sins of all who trust in him. Jesus gives us permanent forgiveness which cleanses our conscience. God’s grace richly blesses us.

Principles

• The regular routine of sacrificing to God reminded the worshipers that they had unforgiven sin.

• The influence of Christ’s death produces in his followers a desire to serve God.

• Christ’s death removes the stain of sin.

• Christ’s death is so effective it requires no repetition.

Applications

• Don’t trust modern religious ritual to remove your sin.

• Nurture in your heart a desire to serve God.

• Trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior to remove the guilt of sin.

• Look for the coming return of Jesus which will complete the salvation which began with our commitment to him.

IV. Life Application

Sacrifice—Effective but Deadly

On Wednesday, January 13, 1982, an Air Florida Boeing 737 jet left National Airport in Washington, D.C., during severely cold weather. Moments later it hit the 14th Street Bridge and crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The tragic accident took seventy-eight lives.

Immediately after the crash six passengers held to a piece of the plane, trying to stay afloat in the icy Potomac. Helicopters from the Coast Guard and Park Police came to rescue these survivors. They lowered a lifesaving ring. One of the men caught the ring and handed it five times to his companions. All five made it to the helicopters.

As the helicopter returned for a final trip to rescue this man, he disappeared beneath the water. The survivors did not even know his name. He gave his life that they might live. His was an effective but deadly sacrifice.

Our rescuer has the name Jesus. He gave his life for our sins. His offering was effective because he has done away with sin by the sacrifice of himself (Heb. 9:26). His offering of himself needed no repetition. His offering was deadly because in doing God’s will he surrendered his own life. Jesus now holds out a lifesaving ring to us. By taking his offer we can receive eternal life.

v. Prayer

Jesus, thank you. You voluntarily died on the cross. You have done all that is necessary to take away my sins. I don’t have to go through any rituals or look for any other act. I trust in you and know my sins are forgiven. I look forward to the time you return to complete my salvation. I love you and will always serve you. Amen.

Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.

I am learning to play the banjo. It’s intimidating. The first time I picked it up, I strummed a couple times on the strings and then put it back down. See I was already intimidated by the number of things there was to learn. Not only that, the required movements that it took to play something that sounded something like a song was intimidating. Moving both hands at the same time, different fingers, placement for each note and chord. It’s no easy task. It takes practice. If I would have watched one video and then not practiced that, I would not have progressed. It takes a discipline to act as a reminder of what I need to do. The more I do, the more proficient. That’s not to say that there isn’t a lot of mistakes that I can make, because there is. However, I grow more accustomed to it the more I do it.

(1) What is the coolest/most beautiful/most interesting place of worship (i.e. church, cathedral, etc.) you've seen and why?

(2) What is something that a newer version is better? What makes it better?

(3) Why do some people have such a hard time with believing Jesus? How could you explain what Jesus has done in your life? Will you?