The Final Remedy for Sin

Introduction

We have been noting, starting in chapter 8, of how Christ is superior to the OT covenant and sacrifices. These are a couple of our key words from Chapters 8, 9, 10 - covenant, sacrifice, sanctuary. We can also add today tabernacle, testament, and blood.

In the letter to this point, Jesus has been most frequently called “high priest.” Previous to this section, He has been called “mediator” just once. Now, in verses 15–22 He is presented as high priest, mediator, and testator. All of these terms are necessary for the complete understanding of Jesus’ ministry. The previous section fully explained His high priesthood; this one explains the work as mediator and testator. The meaning of “mediator” has been explained previously and needs no discussion here. It should be noted, however, that Jesus’ mediation is not connected with the law; He is the mediator of the New Testament, which God has ordained to replace the law.

Main Idea: Through Jesus, God has acted to destroy the effects of sin permanently.

1. Forgiveness Through Christ’s Sacrifice

verses 15-22

Here we are going to see a section that refers back to the Old Covenant (first testament) that lays out the principles of how forgiveness is gained. The Bible is going to teach us that there are two requirements to get forgiveness from God.

A. There is a Requirement of Death

vv. 15-17

1) For the Benefits From Christ’s Death

*** First is a full cancellation of debt (redemption of the transgressions).

Hebrews 2:14 AV

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;

We have a crushing sin debt.

Second our eternal inheritance.

Let’s look at a couple key words. We’re told of a mediator.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Mediator

MEDIATOR—one who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33, in the word “daysman” (q.v.), marg., “umpire.”

Testament - new covenant or a new agreement.

Hebrews 8:6 AV

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Jesus secures forgiveness of sin. On the basis of giving himself, Christ became a mediator of the new covenant and a ransom to free captives from their sin. Christ’s death was the price paid to liberate spiritual prisoners.

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.1

1 Lea, T. D. (1999). Hebrews, James (Vol. 10, p. 169). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eight: The Superior Sanctuary (Hebrews 9)

This verse (Heb. 9:15) makes it clear that there was no final and complete redemption under the Old Covenant. Those transgressions were covered by the blood of the many sacrifices, but not cleansed until the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (Rom. 3:24–26). Since Christ has accomplished an eternal redemption, we are able to share in an eternal inheritance.

Romans 6:23 AV

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Peter 1:3–4 AV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

2) For a Will to be Enforced

Covenant means agreement but also the idea of a last will. A will doesn’t go into force until the person dies. There’s a similar idea given by Christ at the Lord’s Supper.

Luke 22:20 AV

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

This is why I’m not leaving my kids anything - they’ll be anticipating my death.

Hebrews Hebrews 9:16–18

At this point the author takes advantage of the dual meaning of the Greek word diathēkē. Having understood it as “covenant,” he now shifts to the meaning will. This is the same thing that Paul does in Galatians 3:15–17, where, however, the argument is a little different.

Galatians 3:15–17 AV

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

 The death of Christ not only set believers free from their sins, but it also activated the benefits of the new covenant.

1 Lea, T. D. (1999). Hebrews, James (Vol. 10, p. 169). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

B. There is a Requirement of Blood

vv. 18-22

1) The Old Covenant Started with Blood

vv. 18-19

Exodus 24:6–7 AV

6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.

1 Peter 1:2 AV

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

The point of all this is clear: the sacrifice of animals and the ritualistic sprinkling of special objects with blood were important in the establishment of the covenant between God and Israel.

2) The Old Covenant was Confirmed with Blood

v. 20

Exodus 24:8 AV

8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

First the law was read; and then confirmed or ratified by the sprinkling of the blood. It served a ratifying function whereby both parties obligate themselves to be faithful to the covenant. Any unfaithful party was subject to the fate of the sacrificial animal. Thus the blood of the covenant confirmed the reality of the covenant and emphasized the importance of faithfulness to it.1

1 Hagner, D. A. (2011). Hebrews (pp. 142–143). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Similar to the words of Jesus

Matthew 26:28 AV

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

3) The New Covenant is Secured with Blood

vv. 21-22

Almost - some things weren’t cleansed with blood - some were cleansed by water and some were not cleansed at all.

Numbers 15:30 AV

30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Psalm 51:17 AV

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

The central importance of blood to the forgiveness of sins, however, is stressed in Leviticus

Leviticus 17:11 AV

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.

Blood is necessary for the ratification of a covenant, and particularly in the case of the new covenant with its promise of a definitive forgiveness of sins (cf. 9:15, 26; 10:18).1

This statement is the third significant development in ch. 9 in reference to the role of sacrificial blood: blood served as the means by which the high priest accessed God (v. 7), the inauguration of the covenants could not have occurred without blood (v. 18), and the shedding of blood secures the forgiveness of sins (v. 22).1

1 Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Heb 9:22). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Many people considered Christianity to be a bloody religion - he animal sacrifices in the OT and even the bloody death of Christ in the NT. But both the death and the blood of Christ are essential. The blood in both the OT and NT reminds us just how horrible our sins really are.

2. The Finality of Christ’s Great Sacrifice

vv. 23-28

Here we will see the vitally important point that Christ has completed everything required for salvation.

A. Christ’s Sacrifice is Once for All

vv. 23-26

Here we find the significance of God’s promises - we get to a peak here in studying sanctuary, sacrifice, and covenant. Here we see evidence that Christ alone is the effective sacrifice.

1) Presented in a heavenly sanctuary

Verses 23-24

Here we see reference to heaven or the heavenly sanctuary.

Hebrews 8:1–2 AV

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.

We’ve seen already that the OT sanctuary was cleansed by the blood of sacrificial animals, that almost all things are actually. But now we’re seeing the OT way be presented as a pattern of what Christ has actually done in heaven.

Since the ‘pattern’ was cleansed by animal sacrifices, then the far greater ‘heavenly things’ must be cleansed by a proportionately and therefore definitely ‘better sacrifices.’

But why would heavenly things need to be cleansed? First this is an analogy with the earthly pattern. But before one could not enter the Holy Place, they had to be cleansed and we cannot enter heaven until we have been cleansed. What pollutes everything are the sins of the people. Christ has removed that polluting agent now giving us access to heavenly things.

2) Providing a permanent solution

Verses 25-26

We now transition from the sanctuary to the actual sacrifice. Here the offering of Jesus himself is connected with the entrance of the old high priests into the earthly Most Holy Place. There are two contrasts. 1) not often vs every year and 2) himself vs blood of others.

The key here is the once-for-all permanent character of the sacrifice of Jesus - the blood of animals is no longer required.

Verse 26 reminds us that if this was not the case, Christ would have be sacrificed frequently.

But now = finality. He has ‘put away’ sin. He has annulled it.

Hebrews 7:18 AV

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Prior to Jesus, sin wasn’t put away.

Romans 3:25–26 AV

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

So previously God in dealing with sin had to forbear it. But now it’s put away. It’s like when you tell the kids to clean their room and they just stuffed it under the bed (the mess is overlooked). But in Jesus Christ, the mess is actually put away - or actually abolished.

This abolishing is like the abolition of slavery - sin is no longer in force and no longer determines the lives of its victims (Cockerill, NICNT). Sin does not have ultimate power to exclude us from God’s presence.

B. Salvation is Secure

vv. 27-28

Christ’s finished work is the final antidote to our sin problem. The writer takes us back just a bit to understand our sin problem in v. 27.

Romans 5:12 AV

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

We are reminded of the judgment that awaits mankind after death. Sin is the cause of death and thus we go to judgment.

But then in v. 28 we are reminded of the work of Christ - his once-for-all unrepeatable sacrifice is sufficient. Notice the parallel in the deaths (once!)

Just as sure as the death of man brings judgment, so the death of Christ brings salvation!

Isaiah 53:12 AV

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

1 Peter 2:24 AV

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Our salvation is secure! For those of use who look for him we look for salvation rather than judgment.

Hebrews 2:14–17 AV

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. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

CONCLUSION

The old covenant was a constant reminder (through repeated sacrifices) of their sin. But Christ’s death removes sin completely - and nothing is ever required again!

Keys - don’t trust religion! Enjoy the freedom God has given - focus on serving him and his people. Don’t live in the guilt of past sins! And look for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.