Hebrews 9
Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle
1Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover.[a] But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
The Blood of Christ
11When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here,[b] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[c] so that we may serve the living God!
15For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
16In the case of a will,[d] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep."[e] 21In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Footnotes:
[a] Hebrews 9:5 Traditionally the mercy seat
[b] Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
[c] Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals
[d] Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
[e] Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8
4 comments:
Heb 9
How wild is it to think we have an intercessor to God on our behalf? Guys we need to settle back in to our daily commitment. Let's try to remember why we do what we do.
Father, I pray for each one of us to recommit to reading daily. I pray for JRS and that through this he will draw closer to you. I pray for JWS that he can provide a kind loving spirit for JRS to lean on. Be with us through the week and help us to remain consistent, for we know you certainly are.
IN Christ,
cas
Heb 9
It's pretty cool how its all spelled out here. As much as Romans is kind of "Christianity for the Gentiles 101", this chapter is kind of intro to the old testament. It sums a lot up in a few words.
I'm enjoying Hebrews as it is putting a slightly different perspective (almost historical) on how Christianity works.
Father, thank you for this new covenant and Your Son. We are more blessed than we can even realize somedays. Please help us to keep this perspective on our bad days. Help me and us rededicate our lives to you daily, including staying focused on You and Your word. Watch over all of our families and friends and help us continue to be a testament to You. In Jesus' name,
Amen
crb
Heb 9
“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
With all that is going on in my life right now, death seems to unfortunately be a big theme. This may sound morbid, but because of Christ it is not. I am thankful the final payment has been made, and that eternity waits for those who call on him. The hope, peace, freedom, love, acceptance, and joy that comes from knowing that Christ died for each of us, is especially present when a loved one is sick or dies. We are paid for and don’t have to pay again for our sin. At times even more important than knowing this for ourselves is knowing that our loved ones, who have passed, are also paid for.
Christ was sacrificed and brings salvation to our loved one who is waiting on Him.
Father, thank you for these guys who continue to serve you and seek your Word daily. Develop a daily scripture reading discipline in me to do the same. In Christ's name, Amen.
jmb
I agree with CRB that reading Hebrews puts alot into perspective. Ironically enough, I feel like I need to brush up on my history to understand what I am reading. I am truly glad that Jesus is on our sides.
Lord, I come to you this morning first asking for forgiveness for the sins that I have committed against you. Lord, I ask and pray that you continually watch over us as we go about our daily lives and fix the things that are broken in our lives. These things I asked in your precious name, Amen.
LT
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