Hebrews 9:6-10

Summary retelling of Hebrews 9:6-10

Under the first covenant, only the priests could go into the Holy place and only the high priest could go into the Most Holy place – and even then only once a year.  Even when the high priest did go in, he had to kill something and bring its blood as a sacrifice for his guilt and the guilt of the people.  Symbolically, this was a sign that the holy places were not yet open to the people.  This is also a sign that the gifts and offerings (sacrifices) cannot truly affect the inner spirit of the person who is offering the gifts; instead these simply deal with the external until the time of purification comes.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As we carry on in the author’s description of the differences between the first and second covenant, we arrive at the fact that the holy place is closed off to the regular people.  Only one tribe out of twelve (and that’s not even counting the Gentiles) could go in there.  And with respect to the holiest of places, only one person on the face of the earth could go in there!  God was teaching us the consequences of our sin: separation from God.

How often do you think about the fact that your sinfulness has consequences?  How often do you think about the fact that your sin literally separates you from God?  How often do you give thanks to God for sending us Jesus so that the separation could be bridged?

Second Thought:

The fact that there was a barrier from the people also reminds us that the first covenant was temporary.  God’s work had not yet been completed because God was not yet approachable.  The first covenant was about the barrier between us and God.  However, when Christ died on the cross and the temple curtain was torn, the most holy place was no longer set apart.  Through Christ’s death, God became approachable.

Do you think about how privileged you are to be able to come to God?  Do you think about the time in the future when all think will be made new and we will dwell in God’s literal presence?  What do you think about with respect to that time?

Third Thought:

Perhaps the most significant difference from our perspective is that the sacrifices of the first covenant did not change the inner person.  The sacrifices covered up guilt, but it did not change us as people.  Christ’s death – and perhaps most significant, the coming of the Holy Spirit – changes who we are at a fundamental level.  Although it is important to remember that while we are different with the Holy Spirit, we are not yet without sin.  We are changed, but not transformed perfectly.

Do you think much about how you are privileged to have access to the Holy Spirit within you?  How would you be different without the Holy Spirit?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 9:11-15