Hebrews 9
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· 8 viewsHebrews 9 contrasts the limitations of the old covenant with its earthly sanctuary and repetitive sacrifices, emphasizing the efficacy and permanence of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, which offers true atonement and inaugurates an eternal relationship between God and humanity.
Notes
Transcript
Context
Hebrews 9 is a chapter in the New Testament book of Hebrews, a letter written to Jewish Christians. The primary aim of Hebrews is to encourage believers to persevere in their faith by focusing on the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. This chapter specifically deals with the themes of the old covenant versus the new covenant, the limitations of the old system of worship, and how the sacrificial death of Jesus brings a new and better covenant. It serves as a pivotal point in the letter’s argument, demonstrating how the Old Testament ceremonies were but shadows pointing to the greater reality in Christ. In essence, Hebrews 9 builds upon what was previously discussed and sets the stage for what follows, creating a cohesive argument that Christ is superior in every way.
Main Idea
The main idea of Hebrews 9 is to contrast the limitations of the old covenant, with its earthly tabernacle and repetitive sacrifices, to the efficacy and permanence of the new covenant established by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This chapter asserts that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient, once for all, to atone for sin and to inaugurate a new, eternal covenant between God and humanity. It speaks to the obsolescence of the old sacrificial system, showing that it could never make worshippers perfect, and reveals how Jesus Christ fulfills what the old system could only foreshadow.
Outline
The Old Covenant Sanctuary (Verses 1-5)
The chapter begins by describing the setup of the earthly sanctuary under the old covenant. It details the arrangement of the tabernacle and the holy items it contained. However, these were mere shadows, a physical representation of heavenly realities, unable to bring about true spiritual transformation.
The Limitations of the Old Covenant (Verses 6-10)
Here, the writer focuses on the limitations of the old covenant's rituals and sacrifices. They were only a temporary measure, serving as an external means to address an internal problem. They cleansed ceremonially but did not cleanse the conscience or effect lasting change.
The Sufficiency of Christ’s Sacrifice (Verses 11-14)
The passage then transitions to declare that Jesus entered a heavenly sanctuary, not made with hands. He offered Himself, a perfect sacrifice, to cleanse not just outwardly but to purify the conscience, to enable us to serve the living God truly.
Inauguration of the New Covenant (Verses 15-22)
This section reveals Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant. He is the one who ushers in the promise of eternal inheritance, effective because His sacrifice is once for all. It affirms that a will is not enacted until the one who wrote it has died, signifying the necessity of Jesus' death to inaugurate the new covenant.
The Necessity and Efficacy of Christ's Sacrifice (Verses 23-28)
The chapter culminates in asserting the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice, superior to the old covenant's offerings. It highlights that Christ’s sacrifice was a one-time event, efficient to deal with sins for all time. He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to usher those waiting for Him into salvation.
In these five points, the chapter unveils a breathtaking portrait of what Christ achieved, far surpassing the capabilities of the old covenant. The old was but a shadow; the new, in Christ, is the reality. It paints a vivid contrast, urging us to grasp the tremendous significance of what Jesus has done.
Proposition
You should embrace the new covenant.
The proposition is derived from the overarching message of Hebrews 9, which centers on the inadequacy of the old covenant and the sufficiency and finality of the new covenant through Christ's sacrifice. The action implied for the believer is not just to understand or admire this new covenant, but to wholeheartedly embrace it. Embracing here involves more than intellectual ascent; it includes a life-altering faith that clings to the grace provided through Jesus. When one embraces the new covenant, it means he or she accepts Christ's sacrifice as the only means of true atonement for sin, the sole avenue for a transformed life, and the promise of an eternal inheritance. It's an active, decisive move away from reliance on religious rituals or human efforts, to a full, trustful leaning into the finished work of Christ.
Illustrations
Abraham
Abraham is an exemplary figure when we think about embracing new covenants. When God told him to leave his homeland and go to a place He would show him, Abraham obeyed (Genesis 12:1-4). He had to embrace a new promise, a new covenant of sorts. It was more than a mental agreement; it was a step of radical obedience and trust. His faith was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6), making him an early example of someone who wholly embraced a covenant relationship with God.
Ruth
Ruth, a Moabite woman, had every reason to stick to her roots, her culture, and her gods. However, in a crucial decision, she clung to her mother-in-law Naomi and chose the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-17). In doing so, she embraced a new "covenant" relationship. It was more than just a familial duty; it was an acceptance of a divine promise, a faith that led her to become an ancestor of Christ Himself (Matthew 1:5).
Peter
Peter was a Jew, well accustomed to the rituals and traditions of the old covenant. But when he encountered Christ, everything changed. Though he faltered at times, his ultimate decision was to embrace the new covenant that Jesus offered. After the resurrection, Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost showed that he fully understood and had embraced the new covenant in Christ (Acts 2:14-41). He didn't cling to the old ways but grasped the fresh promise of the Spirit, salvation, and a worldwide mission.
Each of these characters illustrates the life-changing impact of embracing a new covenant relationship with God. Their actions signify more than simple agreement; they signify life-altering, radical trust and obedience to the God who makes covenants with His people.
Reasons You should embrace the new covenant
1. Because It Offers Better Promises (Hebrews 9:6-10)
Hebrews 9:6-10 elaborates on the limitations and shortcomings of the Old Testament regulations for worship and the sanctuary. The "better promises" in the context imply that the new covenant is superior because it addresses the inadequacies of the old covenant.
The key word here is "promises." In Greek, the word is "epaggelia," which denotes a declaration of intent that obliges the person to do what is promised. This term is used elsewhere to indicate divine promises, such as in Galatians 3:16, where it refers to the promises made to Abraham and his offspring.
In the Septuagint (LXX), the same Greek word is used in 2 Samuel 7:28, referring to God's covenant promises to David. This Old Testament context adds weight to the term, showing it as a divine guarantee that spans both testaments.
David is a Bible character who illustrates this reason well. God promised him an everlasting throne (2 Samuel 7:16), a promise that was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who is of the lineage of David. David trusted in God's promises, and that faith was counted in his favor.
2. Because Christ Entered Heaven’s Sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11-12)
These verses emphasize the finality and completeness of Christ's sacrifice as He entered the heavenly sanctuary, not made by human hands.
The key word here is "perfect" or "teleios" in Greek. It signifies something brought to its end, finished, lacking nothing necessary to completeness. This is used in Matthew 5:48, where believers are called to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect.
The Greek word "teleios" is used in the LXX in Psalm 19:7, referring to the law of the Lord as perfect. This illuminates the idea that what was shadowed in the Old Testament is fulfilled in Christ.
Solomon, in building the temple, a physical sanctuary, was seeking to create a dwelling place for God among the people. Yet even he acknowledged that the heavens could not contain God (1 Kings 8:27). Christ, by entering the perfect sanctuary, accomplished what the temple was a mere shadow of.
3. Because It Offers Eternal Redemption (Hebrews 9:12)
The term "eternal redemption" signifies the enduring and everlasting impact of Christ's sacrifice, as opposed to the temporary atonement provided by the old covenant.
The Greek term for "eternal" is "aiónios," meaning age-lasting, without end. It is used in John 3:16, where it is said that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
In the LXX, the term is used in Genesis 9:16 in the context of God’s everlasting covenant with Noah, indicating a covenant without end.
Noah’s obedience to God in building the ark demonstrates a trust in God’s promise (covenant) for redemption from the impending judgment, serving as a foreshadowing of the eternal redemption available through Christ.
Pointing to Christ
In Hebrews 9, the themes and doctrines intricately weave together to reveal the fullness of Christ's redemptive work. The chapter unfurls the contrast between the earthly tabernacle of the old covenant and the heavenly sanctuary, pointing to Christ as the ultimate High Priest who offers Himself for our sins. In doing so, it brings together the doctrine of atonement, the high-priestly role of Christ, and the inauguration of a better covenant.
The New Testament offers manifold testimony that Christ is the fulfillment of these Old Testament shadows. Take, for instance, Christ's own words in the Last Supper: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20). Here, Christ explicitly identifies Himself as the inaugurator of the new covenant, fulfilling what is articulated in Hebrews 9.
Similarly, 1 Timothy 2:5-6 speaks of Christ as the one mediator who gave Himself as a ransom for all, emphasizing His unique high-priestly role in achieving our salvation. This text resonates with Hebrews 9:15, which mentions Christ as a mediator of a new covenant.
Then we come to the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 21:3, we encounter a vision where God's dwelling is now among people, a reality made possible because of Christ's redemptive work that Hebrews 9 expounds upon. This culminates the storyline of Scripture from a garden in Genesis to a city in Revelation, where God dwells with His people, indicating the fullness of redemption.
But it's not just about fulfilling prophecies or typologies; it's about transforming the very fabric of our relationship with God. Hebrews 9 informs us that because of Christ's sacrifice, we can now enter boldly into God's presence. Ephesians 3:12 echoes this: "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
In summary, the New Testament brilliantly illuminates how Christ fulfills the themes and doctrines found in Hebrews 9: He is our High Priest, our mediator of a better covenant, and the one who has secured eternal redemption for us.
Gospel Invitation
The truth of Hebrews 9 beckons us to an astonishing revelation. The inefficacy of the earthly sanctuary, and the priests who served there, was a stark reminder of our desperate need for something more—someone more. What the blood of goats and bulls could not accomplish, the blood of Jesus Christ did. He not only redeems us from the eternal penalty of sin but liberates us from its power in this life and promises deliverance from its very presence in the life to come.
For anyone here grappling with the weight of sin's penalty, the message is clear: Jesus Christ has offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. By faith in His atoning work, you can be justified—made right with God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).
If you're wrestling with sin's ongoing power in your life, know that the same Savior who justifies also sanctifies. Through union with His death and resurrection, you can walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 says, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
And if your eyes are set on the future, yearning for the day when sin will be no more, take heart. The blood of Christ not only pays our debt and breaks sin's power; it also guarantees our future glorification. "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (Romans 8:30).
So come. The way into the Most Holy Place is now open. Come with your guilt; you will be justified. Come with your struggles; you will be sanctified. Come with your longings; you will find hope for glorification. Through faith in Christ, come and find freedom from the penalty, the power, and the presence of sin. Amen.
Bibliography
"Exegetical and Homiletical Exploration of Hebrews 9." ChatGPT, OpenAI. 2023.
Atonement, Blood, Covenant, Sanctuary, Redemption