I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 9 - the author of Hebrews builds on the theme of Jesus is better from previous chapters by describing how Jesus’ sacrifice ended the need for annual ritual washings and sacrifices for atonement of sin. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: V14: God saves as He is able to “purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” V15: Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant of His shed blood, and this new covenant gives believers an eternal inheritance, providing victory over both sin and death. Jesus had to die to give us this inheritance because the inheritance only passes to the children (believers) upon instructions given in the will, and the will of the Father was for the Son to die such that we could receive the inheritance – vv16-17. The animal blood sacrifices from the Old Testament were needed but only “copies of the heavenly things to be purified” and the death of Jesus represented the heavenly things by offering a better sacrifice (a spotless and final one) – vv18-23. In contrast to the human high priest an man-made tabernacle, Jesus entered the Most Holy Place - heaven, through His final and perfect sacrifice – vv24-25. With Jesus, it was no longer necessary for the human high priest to offer annual animal sacrifices – v26. Christ “will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” – v28.
- What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv8-9: The acts of man to save himself are empty as “gifts and sacrifices [that] are offered…cannot perfect the conscience of the worship.” The tent erected by man during the Old Testament is also lesser than the temple of Jesus’ body – vv11-12. We need a savior.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid trying to save yourself as there is nothing you can do to achieve salvation. Claim the promise that the victory over sin and death is assured as an inheritance for believers and that at the end of times He will save those who are eagerly waiting for Him. Follow the example of Christ who submitted to the will of the Father to receive the rich inheritance of Christ. Confess your sin and surrender to Christ as Lord and Savior.
My Prayer: Father God, you are an awesome God who stands alone as able to save. I am not deserving of such a gift of my salvation - the greatest gift of all time. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
