Hebrews 9
Daily Bread
Hebrews 9
23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Observation:
The writer continues to compare the old covenant with the new covenant. The old covenant looked forward to the new one. In the old covenant sacrifices for forgiveness had to be made once a year by the high priest, with the blood of innocent animals. Only the high priest could enter the holy of holies first to make sacrifices for himself, and then for the people.
When Jesus came to mediate this new covenant, he offered himself for us once and for all and his sacrifice established for us a way into the holy of holies. In the Law it was said there was no forgiveness with the shedding of blood. Somebody had to pay for the sin to bring justification for it. Jesus’ sacrifice led us not into any earthly temple, but into heaven itself where Jesus sits and intercedes for us as a faithful high priest.
Finally, in the last passage we are told that Jesus will come again to bring salvation to those who trust and wait for him. It is appointed for us to die once and then face judgment. Either we will be judged for our own sins, or we will be people relying on the new covenant that God made with us through His Son and be led into the holy of holies for the first time.
Application:
As we realize the price Jesus paid, his own innocent blood, it is a sobering reminder of God’s love for us and the gift Jesus came to give us. And at this time of the year we celebrate God’s coming to earth in the form of His Son, a Savior and a Priest, and one day He will be Lord of all.
As we receive this sacrifice of Christ Paul tells us in Romans in view of God’s mercy to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice back to God. He tells us not to be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. As you worship the Christ-child this Christmas give thanks for the new covenant that he came to initiate. And give thanks for the gift he offered by making the once and for all sacrifice for us even though he was sinless and pure. There is no greater gift a man can give than he lay down his life for his friends. Jesus willingly laid down his life for us. As you celebrate Christmas remember this indescribable gift as you enjoy share gifts with family and friends this season.
Prayer:
Jesus we thank you for having mercy on us and offering your life as a sacrifice for us paving the way for us to enter into God’s presence in true worship. We know one day you will return, and we who have trusted in this new covenant will be able enter into the holy of holies by your blood. In Your precious and holy name we pray, Amen.
Hebrews 9
23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Observation:
The writer continues to compare the old covenant with the new covenant. The old covenant looked forward to the new one. In the old covenant sacrifices for forgiveness had to be made once a year by the high priest, with the blood of innocent animals. Only the high priest could enter the holy of holies first to make sacrifices for himself, and then for the people.
When Jesus came to mediate this new covenant, he offered himself for us once and for all and his sacrifice established for us a way into the holy of holies. In the Law it was said there was no forgiveness with the shedding of blood. Somebody had to pay for the sin to bring justification for it. Jesus’ sacrifice led us not into any earthly temple, but into heaven itself where Jesus sits and intercedes for us as a faithful high priest.
Finally, in the last passage we are told that Jesus will come again to bring salvation to those who trust and wait for him. It is appointed for us to die once and then face judgment. Either we will be judged for our own sins, or we will be people relying on the new covenant that God made with us through His Son and be led into the holy of holies for the first time.
Application:
As we realize the price Jesus paid, his own innocent blood, it is a sobering reminder of God’s love for us and the gift Jesus came to give us. And at this time of the year we celebrate God’s coming to earth in the form of His Son, a Savior and a Priest, and one day He will be Lord of all.
As we receive this sacrifice of Christ Paul tells us in Romans in view of God’s mercy to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice back to God. He tells us not to be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. As you worship the Christ-child this Christmas give thanks for the new covenant that he came to initiate. And give thanks for the gift he offered by making the once and for all sacrifice for us even though he was sinless and pure. There is no greater gift a man can give than he lay down his life for his friends. Jesus willingly laid down his life for us. As you celebrate Christmas remember this indescribable gift as you enjoy share gifts with family and friends this season.
Prayer:
Jesus we thank you for having mercy on us and offering your life as a sacrifice for us paving the way for us to enter into God’s presence in true worship. We know one day you will return, and we who have trusted in this new covenant will be able enter into the holy of holies by your blood. In Your precious and holy name we pray, Amen.
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