Hebrews 9:11-28

In contrast to the Old Testament, earthly tabernacle with a sinful priest, the writer now reveals that Jesus Christ is the High Priest of “good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands.” Furthermore, this tabernacle does not depend on “the blood of goats and calves,” but through the blood of Christ “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Jesus accomplished what the Old Covenant could not…He shed His blood as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind and because He satisfied the demands of the law (perfection, holiness), He was able to remove sin “once for all.” The death of Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and therefore annulled any further sacrifices being made by human priests. His sacrifice brought eternal redemption to those who would accept it. Redemption carries the idea of a slave being purchased in order to give him freedom. The blood of Jesus Christ purchased our freedom from the consequences of sin; in other words, the penalty for sin was death but Jesus died in our place (9:12-15). It is very clear that the writer of Hebrews is saying that “without shedding of blood there is no remission,” meaning there is no forgiveness without death (9:16-22). Making His home in heaven (9:23), Jesus now appears before God on our behalf (9:24) and through His sacrifice He forgives sin (9:25-26) and will one day return for those who are awaiting Him (9:27-28).

Dear God, I again thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Without His death there would be no forgiveness of sin and I thank You for giving everyone an opportunity to receive His “once for all” sacrifice.