The Way - Day 156 (Hebrews 9)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Hebrews 9:1-10
The writer again returns to the inability of the old sacrificial system to bring salvation to those who were a part of it. In verses 1-10 a description of the Old Testament, earthly tabernacle is given in brief. In verse 2 the writer describes the Holy Place, which was the first room in the tabernacle. This room contained things such as the lampstand, showbread, as well as the table for the showbread (see Exodus 25:23-40 for more description of these items). Verse 3 describes what was behind the veil which divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This room contained the golden censer (which was actually right outside the Holy of Holies) but actually was the separating line before one entered this sacred place. Behind the veil in the tabernacle was the ark of the covenant, which contained a golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod, and the tablets of the covenant (10 commandments). Moving from a description of the tabernacle, the writer now explains the purpose of the tabernacle. The priest would go into the first part and perform priestly services, but he would only enter the Holy of Holies once a year (v.7). The priest would enter this place alone and always with blood, which "he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance." Remember, the tabernacle did not provide any personal worship of God for the people because it kept them at a distance from Him; in fact, the Holy Spirit indicated that the way into the Holy of Holies had not been revealed at the time of the tabernacle (v.8). However, it was symbolic of what was to come in the future and anything done in the tabernacle was imperfect and ultimately pointed to a future fulfillment (vv.9-10). The writer calls this fulfillment a "time of reformation" which refers to restoring of something that is imperfect. We'll continue on this thought tomorrow.

Hebrews 9:11-28
In contrast to the Old Testament, earthly tabernacle with a sinful priest, the writer now reveals that Jesus Christ is the High Priest of "good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands." Furthermore, this tabernacle does not depend on "the blood of goats and calves," but through the blood of Christ "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." Jesus accomplished what the Old Covenant could not...He shed His blood as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind and because He satisfied the demands of the law (perfection, holiness), He was able to remove sin "once for all." The death of Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and therefore annulled any further sacrifices being made by human priests. His sacrifice brought eternal redemption to those who would accept it. Redemption carries the idea of a slave being purchased in order to give him freedom. The blood of Jesus Christ purchased our freedom from the consequences of sin; in other words, the penalty for sin was death but Jesus died in our place (9:12-15). It is very clear that the writer of Hebrews is saying that "without shedding of blood there is no remission," meaning there is no forgiveness without death (9:16-22). Making His home in heaven (9:23), Jesus now appears before God on our behalf (9:24) and through His sacrifice He forgives sin (9:25-26) and will one day return for those who are awaiting Him (9:27-28).

Dear God, I again thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Without His death there would be no forgiveness of sin and I thank You for giving everyone an opportunity to receive His "once for all" sacrifice.