Hebrews 9:11-14

Summary retelling of Hebrews 9:11-14

Now we will talk about Christ, who has come as the high priest of the new covenant.  He has come to serve in the true temple of God – that which is not made by the hands of mankind.  Christ entered into the most high place through the sacrifice of His own blood – not through the blood of animals.  The redemption He brings is eternal because He shed His own blood.  After all, if the blood of goats and sheep can purify the outside, then the true sacrifice of an innocent human being should be able to purify more than the sacrifice of an animal.  Through Christ’s death and the influence of the Holy Spirit we are purified from our dead works into the service of the living God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Christ has come to serve in the heavenly temple of God.  Contrast this point with the point that the author of Hebrews has been making over the studies of the past few days.  The earthly temple/tabernacle of the Jews was a human construction project.  It is a symbolic representation of God’s throne.  Christ did not come to serve in the symbolic temple, He came instead to show us the way to the real thing.

Have you ever wondered why it is that Jesus – a high priest of God and the holiest person who has ever lived – never spent much time around the Jewish temple?  How does this passage help us understand why Jesus spent so much time with the people outside the temple?  What was Jesus’ point?

Second Thought:

Jesus gave His own blood as a sacrifice.  He gave His own life.  He was killed – crucified, even – for the sake of humankind.  He died so that we might know the way to salvation.  He died so that we could know eternal salvation.  Jesus is able to enter into the heavenly temple of God because He forfeited His own life in exchange for doing God’s will.

What can we learn about Jesus in this passage?  What example does Jesus set for us?

Third Thought:

The point that the author makes about purification is also fairly significant.  If the blood of goats and the blood of sheep can symbolically point us to God’s forgiveness, then certainly the actual blood of Christ can do more than symbolically point us to God’s mercy.  Christ’s blood can truly purify us.  The Holy Spirit can indeed affect change within us.  We do not put our trust in symbolic sacrifices reminding us of God’s love.  We put our trust in God’s actual plan of salvation: He gave Himself for our sake.

How does this point answer the question about why we no longer have to partake in animal sacrifices?  How does the Holy Spirit affect change in you?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 9:15-17