Hebrews 9:23-28

Summary retelling of Hebrews 9:23-28

In this section we return to the difference between the earthly temple and the heavenly temple: the earthly temple items had to be purified, but the heavenly place for the worship of God needs no such purification.  Jesus is now before God on our behalf, and He is in a place that is not made with human hands.  Christ also doesn’t need to offer Himself again and again as a sacrifice because Christ died for the sake of all humanity.  Through His death, Jesus dealt with sin itself, not just the consequences of sin.  We further believe that since Christ died for our sake and then went to be with the Father, so Christ will come again and bring those who are eagerly waiting to be with Him back to the Father.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The first thought of this passage seems like a no-brainer.  Heaven wasn’t built by human hands.  But it is actually a very thought-provoking and deep thought if we allow ourselves to pause and contemplate what this means.  First, it means that God does not need us.  He can – and did – build His own place for worship.  Second, it means that since heaven is not marred from contact with sinful humanity, it does not need purification.  But perhaps most importantly it shows us what the author of Hebrews has been talking about all along.  The Law – and all of its ordinances – was simply meant to be an example to us of the heavenly things.  The sacrifices are an example to help us understand our need for Christ.  The worship space is an example to help us understand being in the presence of God.  The stuff of this world is merely a foretaste of the greatness of God that is yet to come!

Why is it so easy to assume that God made heaven and not think that much about it?  When you do think about what it means for God to have made heaven, what is the most important part that jumps out at you?

Second Thought:

When Jesus died, He dealt with sin.  We know He dealt with sin because the “wage of sin is death.”  Since Christ died and conquered death by rising to new life, we know that sin and death we no match for Jesus Christ.  Since Christ has dealt with sin and not just the consequences of sin, we no longer need to make sacrifices.  Christ is enough.  Christ is sufficient.  We are saved by Jesus Christ and only through Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to you to say that Jesus conquered sin?  Do you live that truth out or do you still struggle with putting it into practice?  When do you think that you will stop struggling with the sinful nature of humanity within all of us?

Third Thought:

Jesus will come again.  We believe it to be true.  We confess it with our mouths.  Jesus Himself tells us that He goes to prepare a place for us.  (John 14:3)  He will return and bring all of us with Him into heaven where we will then dwell in the presence of God.  We will be in God’s presence and giving Him glory and praise.  That is what it is all about: humbling ourselves now so that we can be in the relationship with God that we need to be in … so that eventually we will be in His presence giving glory to Him and bringing glory to His name for eternity.

How cool is it to think about the day when we will be in God’s literal presence?  What do you think it will be like?  When you think about eternity, what is the thought around which the rest of your thoughts revolve?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 10:1-4