Hebrews 9: 1-22
When we read Hebrews 9: 1-10, we see an Old Testament description of atonement for sins. This included the tabernacle, a moveable temple that shadowed the unsettled state of the church on earth. Within the tabernacle was the Holy place that contained the lampstand, the table, and the bread. Behind the second veil was the Holy of Holies which contained the golden alter of incense and the ark of the covenant. Inside the ark was the golden jar of manna and Aaron’s rod. Above the ark were the cherubim of glory. Once a year, only the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies to offer a sacrifice for himself and the people that had committed sins in ignorance. He was not to go in without blood for the sacrifice. The Israelites of Old Testament times, in general, looked no further than these outward forms. But these forms could not truly take away the defilement or dominion of sin. They pointed forward to a greater sacrifice: the blood that saves.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14)
We see from the scriptures that not only today but in Old Testament times we cannot do it on our own. They had the high priest to intercede for their transgressions. Now we have the ultimate high priest in Jesus Christ to forgive us of our sins once and for all.
Jesus is able to do these things by offering himself without any sinful stain in his nature or life. Jesus entered the Most Holy place not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood. By doing this, Jesus not only obtained the blessings of salvation for us, but gave us power to use them. We are all guilty of sin before God and still yet He was willing to show the greatness of his mercy and proclaimed a new covenant of grace.
Through Christ and our faith in Christ, we can be saved. We don’t have to go to the high priest once a year with our blemish-free calf or goat. We simply have to trust that Christ is the sacrifice who died for us. Through faith in Christ, all our sins are forgiven, and we will live with him forever. God loves us all and he has built a new kingdom for us to dwell with him eternally, giving him the glory and singing praises to him forever.
I pray that we all understand the sacrifice God has made for us and that we share all that we know with everyone we come into contact with. God is a kind, loving, caring and merciful God, so let’s proclaim his name to all the world.
Patrick Miller