Year 2, Week 50, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 50, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Hebrews 9-10.

Today’s reading covers two additional chapters of Hebrews. The Book of Hebrews does not indicate its human author, but this important Book exhorts believers to not turn from Christ, even as it is filled with reasons for the surpassing worth of Jesus and His superiority to the Old Covenant. Hebrews 9 continues the focus begun in Hebrews 8, which explores the superior sacrificial work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary: “Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness” (Hebrews 9:1). The regulations for worship as well as the place of worship is superior in the sacrificial work of Jesus. Hebrews 10 concludes the focus begun in Hebrews 8 on the superior sacrificial work of Jesus: “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12-14).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the explanation concerning the superiority of Christ’s offering: “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11-12). Christ’s work is explained chronologically from three vantage points. First, Christ appeared in the past, whereby He obtained redemption for His people: “But when Christ appeared as a high priest…by means of his own blood.” Second, Christ at present appears before God as His peoples’ intercessor: “now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24b). Christ will reappear in the future as the One who comes at the end of the age to bring final salvation to those who await His coming: “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28). But Hebrews 9 spends most of its time expelling the past appearance of Christ and the work that He did then, which serves as the foundation for His present work as well as future work. 

Christ’s past work, which He accomplished at His past appearance is explained by way of the place where it occurred: “the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation);” the means through which it occurred: “not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood;” and the outcome because of what occurred:“thus securing an eternal redemption.” Redemption describes a liberation or deliverance. Christ certainly did deliver His people from their enemies, but it was not exactly the type of enemy that perhaps many had in mind. When Christ offered up His own blood in the heavenly tabernacle, Christ destroyed “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and liberated His people who had been “subject to lifelong slavery” (see Hebrews 2:14-15). The redemptive outcome of Christ’s work was through His blood. The blood of animals, which comprised the Old Covenant sacrifices, was effective; but only in a provisional and superficial way: “For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh” (Hebrews 9:13). The blood spilt during the Old Covenant did accomplish something, but it was only external; sacrifices merely dealt with external levels of defilement by providing ceremonial purity. Christ’s sacrifice genuinely cleanses the conscience, that is, it truly removes the sin and guilt that keeps men from drawing near to God. Jesus accomplished this cleansing by the enablement of the Holy Spirit, who is identified as “the eternal Spirit,” which links the Spirit to the “eternal redemption”Christ provides. The Holy Spirit’s anointing upon Jesus (see Isaiah 11:1-5; 42:1) accounts for Jesus being “without blemish to God,” and therefore qualified Him to provide a much greater cleansing. Now, by the same Holy Spirit, such cleansing emancipates believers “from dead works to serve the living God.” “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrew 9:14).

In both covenants, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (9:22). While both covenants needed blood shed to place them into effect, they are still very different. Hebrews’ use of Exodus 24:8, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you” (9:20) finds it’s contrasting parallel with: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (see Luke 22:20). Under the terms of the Old Covenant, “if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish” (Deuteronomy 30:17-18). The first covenant brought the curse of death upon all who broke it (and all did). But in identifying with sinners, Christ died as a sacrificial representative for His people. In so doing, “He sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship” (9:21).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe