Hebrews 9
“6 Now when these things have been so
prepared, the priests are continually entering the a outer tabernacle
performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest
enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and
for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is
signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed
while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the
present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot
make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and
drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of
reformation.
11 But when Christ appeared as a high
priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more
perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He
entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 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, 14 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?”
Notes:
If you read
the last two verses again, you will see how great the grace Christ gives us is!
He cleansed our conscience, which are defiled by sin, so that we can serve the
living God with peace.
God gave his
Law to Israel through Moses, and asked them to offer sacrifices to purify
themselves, so that they can worship him. As you see in verse 6-7, the priests
are only allowed to perform the divine worship in the outer tabernacle. And
only the high priest is allowed to enter the second – “the Holy of Holies” once
a year taking blood. “The Holy of Holies” is where the ark of covenant is. This worship system is so limited because God
is so holy that man could not access his presence. However, this limited
worship system itself signifies there will be a perfect worship in the future.
(Verse 8-10)
Christ entered
the greater and better tabernacle, “not of this creation”, the right hand of
God, the presence of God. This is much better than the “Holy of Holies”, which
is a copy of the real tabernacle in heaven. Christ offered better sacrifice,
his own blood, his blemish life, so that he cleansed our conscience and brought
us to the presence of God. How much guilty we felt before, but Christ cleansed
our conscience and gave us the eternal salvation.
“19 Therefore, brethren, since we
have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and
living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near
with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us
hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is
faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. “(Hebrews
10:19-25)
Let us hold
fast to this great salvation with faith and hope, and stimulate one another to
love and good deeds.
