Daily Bread 2011 - Hebrews 9

23 It 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. 24 For 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. 25 Nor 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. 26 Then 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. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so 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.

What Does This Mean?
The writer describes, in chapter 9, the differences between the old tabernacle and how it operated, and the new temple in heaven, with Jesus as the high priest. In the old tabernacle, there was an outer room where the priests carried out daily ministry with its lampstand, table and bread, and it was called the Holy Place. Then, behind a second curtain, was the most Holy Place, where only the Most High Priest in once a year to make sacrifices for his own sins and the sins of the people. The writer makes it clear that these were only an illustration for the present time where a greater and more perfect tabernacle has been set up through Christ.

Though everything in the old tabernacle had to be cleansed with blood each year by the Most High Priest, in the new sanctuary, Jesus has made the once and for all sacrifice to do away with sin. Just as Jesus judged sin once and for all, we are all destined to die and face judgment. If we are in Christ when Jesus appears He will bring us salvation and healing. Jesus’ sacrifice of his own blood has provided the only way to come into God’s presence.

What Does This Mean For Us?
If Jesus made this great sacrifice for us how are we to respond? There are two verses that come to mind. One, “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17 And secondly, “I urge you in view of God’s mercy to offer yourselves as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you might prove what God’s will is, what is good, acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

Our response to what Jesus has done for us is brokenness over our own sin and a contrite heart. What does that mean? That we realize that our sin was part of what Jesus died for on the cross. When we realize that our sin is part of why Jesus died on the cross, it should break our heart. Secondly, Paul talks about a living sacrifice. Meaning since there is no reason for any blood sacrifices on our part since that is finished, the proper response to what Christ has done for us is to offer ourselves back in a living sense. Meaning every aspect of how we live our lives is part of the living sacrifice we give back to God. Therefore, we can really never be bitter if our sacrifice is not acknowledged, or we don’t get our credit for serving God by people; for our motivation is out of love and response for sacrifice Jesus has given to us. This will involve not conforming to the world’s patterns, but changing our thinking to reflect God’s will and desires in our everyday handling of all the decisions we make. Yes it is a whole life proposition.

This was the life verse given to me at important crossroads in my faith journey about 24 years ago, and it has never let me down when I have lived according to it.
Jesus we thank you for the perfect sacrifice you made on our behalf. As we respond to your act of mercy, may we in turn offer our bodies and minds to you as a living sacrifice, which is our act of worship to you, which is holy, pleasing and acceptable. Amen.