The Superior Sacrifice of Christ
The Book of Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted
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INTRODUCTION
In Hebrews 8:1-10:18, the writer is showing us that Jesus has now become (through his offering of himself) a High Priest ‘perfected forever’ and the only eternal source of salvation - Cockerill, NICNT
We have three major themes coming up in the next three chapters - sanctuary, sacrifice, and covenant.
In Chapter 8 we saw that we have a New Minister (High Priest) and an Improved Covenant - the old covenant wouldn’t last but this new covenant - was inward, personal, provided cleansing, and was permanent.
While Chapter 8 focused on the covenant, here we transition from the covenant to more of a focus on the sanctuary and the sacrifice that was provided in the New Covenant.
Main Point: Through Jesus, God has acted with finality to destroy the effects of sin. His remedy for our sin is the shed blood of Jesus Christ as the once-for-all, eternal sacrifice.
1. The Ineffective Old Covenant
1. The Ineffective Old Covenant
*** What we found in Heb 8:7 is that the old covenant wouldn’t last. Here we’ll see a bit more detail in how that hold covenant was ineffective or incapable of providing full and final redemption or salvation.
A. The Description of the Sanctuary
A. The Description of the Sanctuary
vv. 1-5 - Here the writer takes time to describe in a bit of detail the actual layout and operation of the old tabernacle. Let’s look at a slide to help us with the overall look.
1) It was Earthly
1) It was Earthly
Verse 1 - gives us the phrase ‘worldly sanctuary.’ This just means that it was of this earth. Remember Christ in the true one in:
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Thus this sanctuary was temporary, made by man, made by products from the earth.
Trying to make a sand castle on the beach before the waves destroy it.
Therefore it’s ordinances (ceremonies) were limited and insufficient. How can that which is earthly help us with that which is eternal?
2) It Was a Type
2) It Was a Type
Verses 2-5 - Now we get a breakdown of the items in the tabernacle.
God had given specific instruction in the OT on how to construct the tabernacle.
8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Let’s look at a size comparison first of all. [slide]
Now understanding the layout a bit better let’s look at the furniture in the tabernacle. Understand that this description is design to reveal the limitations of the old tabernacle and how it foreshadows Christ.
Now let’s understand a bit of the terminology used, especially first in v. 2 and 6 and second in v. 7.
The first tabernacle/tent is the Holy place and has a veil hanging to separate the outer court and of course the veil we are more familiar with before the second tabernacle or the Most Holy Place / Holy of Holies.
a) The first item listed is the candlestick
[slide]These lamps were to be constantly burning - every day and they were never to go out.
24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Type of Jesus who is the light of the world
b) Next we have the table of shewbread
[slide]The table of shewbread was refreshed every week and the old loaves were eaten by Aaron and his sons.
23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
9 And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
Type of Jesus who is the bread of life.
These were both in the outer section, the first tabernacle, the Holy Place
c) Now we’re told of the second veil, the one before the Holy of Holies. This could only be entered once a year on the Day of Atonement by the High Priest. Immediately we find that there is closed off access to God.
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
d) Then we have the golden censer or altar of incense
Now it’s interesting here because the golden censer was not in the Holy of Holies but in the first tent, the Holy Place. However, the writer here attaches the significance of the altar of incense to the Most Holy place, the second tent.
Obviously this wouldn’t be a mistake. But the altar of incense belonged to the Most Holy Place - it functioned directly with it because the smoke of the altar of incense drifted into the Most Holy Place.
6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
So yes while the altar of incense was in the first tent, its function was for the second the most Holy place.
Jesus is a type of the altar of incense as our intercessor or mediator
e) Then we have the ark of the covenant
This was the only piece of furniture in the Most Holy Place.
It was overlaid in gold and contained the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod, and the tables of the covenant (the ten commandments).
The Ten commandments showed the foundation of God’s covenant, the manna showed His provision, and the rod symbolized Aaron’s priesthood.
We also see the cherubims over the mercy-seat. (another picture gives a different perspective).
These two angels with their wings extended overshadowed the central part of the ark called the mercy seat. This was also considered the ‘earthly’ throne of God.
22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
This seat was the place of atonement - this was where the high priest sprinkled the blood. This would provide a covering for the sins of the nation for a year until the next Great Day of Atonement.
Note also the emphasis on gold - the richness of this place.
But previously we’ve already seen that the Son of God has made atonement for us and entered into the heavenly tabernacle and into the presence of God.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Of course Christ is the sacrifice, His blood is the atonement for our sins!
Here the writer has emphasized the earthly and temporary, the preliminary character of the sanctuary/tabernacle. There’s a great and impenetrable separation between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. People and even the priests never got to go in there!
** So the first covenant and sanctuary are limited because it was earthly and temporary in nature and the furnishings in the tabernacle all pointed to something greater. Now let’s look at the impact on the OT ceremonies.
B. The Ceremonies Were Limited
B. The Ceremonies Were Limited
vv. 6-10 - These ‘ordinances’ (v. 1) were limited because they couldn’t bring finality or completion to the process of redemption.
1) It Was Impossible to Approach God
1) It Was Impossible to Approach God
vv. 6-7 - by focusing a bit on all the furniture we see the repetitious nature of all that they did.
Routine lighting of lamps
20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
Regular presentation of bread
30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Daily offering of incense
8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
See also the word ‘accomplishing’ here in v. 6. These didn’t accomplish or make things accomplished but continually accomplishing! They kept having to be repeated.
Even the Most Holy Place and the ceremony there in v. 7 had to be repeated annually. And it shows the restriction here - that only the high priest could come - no one else could draw near. Everything here was limited and not complete.
All these description here anticipate the work of Jesus Christ
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
2) The Sacrifices Could Not Redeem
2) The Sacrifices Could Not Redeem
vv. 8-10 - so not only were these repetitious and showed that you couldn’t access the presence of God - they couldn’t ultimately redeem anyone.
They’re kind of stuck in an endless loop! A merry-go-round of religious observances that had no end.
Really, think about it, the First Covenant only applied to the Holy Place, all the rituals of the First Covenant focused there - yes, once a year the High priest would enter the Holy of Holies, but in reality the Most Holy Place was completely off limits. Tons of rituals occured outside, or in the courtyard and in the Holy Place.
And this sacrificial system was intense!
J. D. Greear Sermon Archive No More Consciousness of Sins: Hebrews 9:1–14
The week leading up to the Day of Atonement was an intense process. Old Testament scholar Ray Dillard describes it:
“A week beforehand, the high priest was put into seclusion—taken away from his home and into a place where he was completely alone. Why? So he wouldn’t accidentally touch or eat anything unclean. Clean food was brought to him, and throughout the week he’d wash his body and prepare his heart.
The night before the Day of Atonement he didn’t go to bed; he stayed up all night praying and reading God’s Word to purify his soul.
Then on Yom Kippur he bathed head to toe and dressed in pure, unstained white linen. Then he went into the Holy of Holies and offered an animal sacrifice to God to atone, or pay the penalty for, his own sins.
J. D. Greear Sermon Archive No More Consciousness of Sins: Hebrews 9:1–14
After that he came out and bathed completely again, and new white linen was put on him, and he went in again, this time sacrificing for the sins of the priests.
But that’s not all. He would come out a third time, and he bathed again from head to toe and they dressed him in brand new pure linen
J. D. Greear Sermon Archive No More Consciousness of Sins: Hebrews 9:1–14
and he went into the holy of holies and atoned for the sins of all the people ….
J. D. Greear Sermon Archive No More Consciousness of Sins: Hebrews 9:1–14
Dillard continues … “this was all done in public. The temple was crowded, and those in attendance watched closely. There was a thin screen, and he bathed behind it. But the people were present: They saw him bathe, dress, go in, come back out. He was their representative before God, and they were there cheering him on. They were very concerned to make sure that everything was done properly and with purity, because he represented them before God.”
But in the New Covenant, there is no Holy Place or first tabernacle. Everything dealt with concerns the Most Holy Place. Our access to the mercy seat never came from the outside law, or from the Holy Pace or Old ceremonies and rituals but from Christ!
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
In verses 9-10 we have some further explanation. He says that the old taberancle and its ceremonies were a figure, a parable. Before Christ it represents the impossibilitiy of access to God!
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The ceremonies and sacrifices couldn’t redeem us - they were ineffective or futile. They couldn’t cleanse our conscience (our inner self, our heart, our whole person). The sacrifices only pertained to food, drink, and washings - ritual cleansing, outer cleansing. These were ceremonies of the flesh - temporary, weak, no divine power to cleanse.
Until the time of reformation in v. 10 - or correction - a new order established by Christ.
With no real cleansing then there is no real access to God. Jesus is the answer to this problem - therefore with his reformation or correction, we have an...
2. An Effective Remedy
2. An Effective Remedy
A. Jesus Is a Priest of the True Tabernacle
A. Jesus Is a Priest of the True Tabernacle
v. 11 - The repetitious sacrifices of the Old brought no access to God. What Christ has achieved in v. 11 is main point of this segment.
Christ returns to the presence of God in his new capacity as High Priest.
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Good things to come - promised land, heavenly future.
We see the absolute superiority of His tent/tabernacle - He is the true tabernacle - greater and more perfect - heavenly tabernacle and thus the very throne of God. He is not the priest of an earthly tabernacle but a heavenly.
48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
The Old Covenant was a religion of the Holy Place, confined to its boundaries and excluded from the Most Holy Place. In the New there is no need for a heavenly ‘Holy Place’ since Christ brings his people into the very presence of God. The location of Christ’s ministry is heavenly.
B. Jesus Provides an Eternal Redemption
B. Jesus Provides an Eternal Redemption
v. 12
In v. 11 the writer affirmed Christ’s arrival in heaven as the High priest who has provided the blessings of salvation that were previously unavailable. Now he addresses the means by which Christ has entered - through his own blood.
Shedding of blood is the offering of one’s life.
Lev 17:11,14
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
14 For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
He shed his own blood - self-offering alone.
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
There is a once-for-all character here - entered. We’ll see this later in the chapter especially 9:24-26
Ultimately effective. He breaks the old pattern in that after shedding the blood on the altar, the high priests carried it in the Most Holy Place and sprinkled on the Mercy seat. But after His sacrifice He took his seat at the right hand of the throne of God - immediately and permanently effective.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Eternal redemption - more than just purifying the flesh. Redeem - paying of a price in order to obtain freedom from bondage for those redeemed. (Israel in the OT was ‘redeemed’ from Egypt).
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Christ has provided for our liberation from the corruption of sin that prevents fellowship with God in the heavenly home.
C. Jesus Provides Internal Cleansing
C. Jesus Provides Internal Cleansing
vv. 13-14
In vv. 13-14 the writer avails himself of his beloved lesser-to-greater argument to show the lasting value of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
If the old system purified the flesh (ritual purification) there was an anticipated internal purification.
Goats and calves in v. 12 and bulls and goats in v. 13 referring to the double Day of Atonement sacrifice. Priest offered calf for himself and goat for the people.
11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
Washings - purifying water mixed with the ashes of a heifer. Num 19:1-10. The heifer’s ashes mixed with water and sprinkled on the unclean held a central place in the Levitical purification rituals. Thus the whole sacrificial system was restricted to outward purification and it could do nothing for inward purification which was necessary to approach God.
How much more! We have inward cleansing through the blood of Christ.
Effective through the eternal Spirit - by the Spirit here shows that all of this is based on the power of God. But the eternal quality is key here - eternal being of the Son - eternal sonship and an indestructible life
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Effective because it was without spot (fault) or blameless. The HS didn’t have to purge anything from the sinless life of Christ. He lived in complete conformity to the will of God.
Without spot - often used to describe the goats and bulls of the Old Covenant as without physical blemish. He was blameless in his earthly life.
What is cleansed - our conscience - removing sin from the heart, the inner reality. Heb 3:12; 8-10
Who wouldn’t want a clean conscience?
A certain businessman was notorious for saving almost everything that came across his desk—especially correspondence. Consequently, the files in his office were bulging. One day his secretary asked if she might dispose of all the old, useless material. The man was reluctant, but finally said, “Well, all right, but be sure you make a copy of everything before you throw it away.”
That’s the way some Christians handle their sins. They know that Jesus paid the penalty, but somehow they can’t let go of the guilt. It’s as if Christ’s suffering were not enough, and they must contribute some of their own anguish by continually lamenting their failures. They want to keep copies of everything they’ve done. How foolish!
Religion always leads to dead works out of a guilty conscience. But in redemption by the blood of Christ, in grace, we do works because we’re already accepted by God, not to try to get accepted by God.
CONCLUSION
No religious ritual can take away our sin - Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the entire OT sanctuary and gives us access to the Most Holy Place - the throne room of God.
Don’t turn to external forms when God’s work is on the heart.