June 16 – The New Covenant’s Sacrifice

Sunday School Lesson

June 16

Lesson 3 (KJV)

The New Covenant’s Sacrifice

 

Devotional Reading: Psalm 50:1–15

Background Scripture: Hebrews 9:11–28

 

Hebrews 9:11–22

11. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

 

12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

 

14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

15. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

 

16. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

 

17. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

 

18. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

 

19. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

 

20. Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

 

21. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

 

Key Verse

Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.—Hebrews 9:22

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Define Christ’s roles as high priest and mediator.

 

2. Explain the significance of the death of Christ.

 

3. Write a prayer of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice.

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Aaronic	Air-ahn-ik.
Corinthians	Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Levitical	Leh-vit-ih-kul.
Leviticus	Leh-vit-ih-kus.
Messiah	Meh-sigh-uh.
Mosaic	Mo-zay-ik.
tabernacle	tah-burr-nah-kul.

Introduction

1. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

The simple melody line of Robert Lowry’s gospel song “Nothing but the Blood” uses only a five-note range and two chords. The song’s lyrics likewise are straightforward, punctuated by the simple declaration, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” In its simplicity, this song celebrates the majestic theme found within Hebrews 9:11–22: our high priest Jesus Christ has offered His blood to make perfect reconciliation for sinners. By that blood, we enter into God’s new covenant. This concept is unfamiliar to many.

1. Lesson Context

Undergirding today’s study are three concepts that are vitally important in the book of Hebrews. Those three are high priest, covenant, and blood. Their importance is revealed in the fact that, in each case, the book of Hebrews features more uses of those words than any other New Testament book by proportion of size.

A priest is a go-between; another word we could use is mediator. That position in Old Testament times involved interceding with God on behalf of unclean people (see Leviticus 14, 15). The founding of the Old Testament priesthood is recorded in Exodus 28, 29 and Leviticus 8. The high priest is the one “upon whose head the anointing oil was poured” (Leviticus 21:10). The death of the high priest resulted in relief from prosecution in specific instances (Numbers 35:25, 28; Joshua 20:6).

The original word that is translated variously as “covenant” and “testament” occurs 33 times in the New Testament. The book of Hebrews has 17 of those 33 instances, demonstrating its importance. The opening verses of Hebrews 8 pronounce that Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry than the priestly ministry of the first covenant. In so doing, He has become the mediator of a better covenant—a covenant that is based on better promises (Hebrews 8:1, 2, 6).

When the writer quotes Jeremiah 31:31–34 regarding God’s offer of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:8–12), the implication is that there was a flaw in the old covenant. Any flaw, however, was not on God’s side. Humanity proved unable and/or unwilling to honor the provisions of that covenant (Hebrews 8:7, 8, 13).

The early part of Hebrews 9 then describes the old covenant sanctuary, the tabernacle. This structure and its successor (the temple) provided Israel only limited access to God. Barriers still existed between the worshipper and God (compare Exodus 29:9; Hebrews 9:7, 8). The mention of blood in Hebrews 9:7 prepares the reader for the frequent use of that word throughout our lesson text for today. As with the word translated “covenant” and “testament,” the word translated “blood” occurs more often proportionally in Hebrews than any other New Testament book.

Scripture treats blood as the life force of a creature (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10–14; Deuteronomy 12:23). The use of blood of sacrificed animals to save Israel is seen explicitly in the blood of lambs smeared on doorposts in Egypt (Exodus 12:7). The mention of blood is connected with violent death (see Genesis 4:10; Matthew 27:4, 24, 25).

Hebrews 9:1–10 describes the worship and sacrificial practices under the old covenant as temporary and inadequate for cleansing worshippers’ sins. In God’s redemptive plan, they merely anticipated “the time of reformation” that would come through the ministry of Christ (9:10). That ministry is tightly connected with the concepts of high priest, covenant, and blood.

1. Better Solution

(Hebrews 9:11–14)

1. In Heaven’s Sanctuary (v. 11)

11a. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come.

 

The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew title Messiah (compare John 1:41; 4:25). Both words are transliterations to speakers of English, not translations. A translation would be “Anointed One” (compare the anointing language in Hebrews 1:9).

In the Old Testament, this title can refer to anyone anointed for God’s purposes. This includes priests, kings, prophets, and even the people (examples: Leviticus 4:3, 5, 16; 2 Samuel

1:14, 16; 23:1; Psalm 105:15; Lamentations 4:20). But the writer of Hebrews uses the anointing concept inherent in the title Christ to refer to Jesus exclusively. Jesus fulfills the tasks that all those who had been anointed before Him were meant to accomplish.

To earlier descriptions of Jesus as “a merciful and faithful high priest” (Hebrews 2:17) and as “a great high priest” (4:14), the writer now adds an high priest of good things to come. Those good things are the better promises and better covenant mentioned previously in Hebrews 8:6.

 

What Do You Think? Should Christ’s function as the new covenant’s high priest be taught as a foundational doctrine, or should teaching on this subject be reserved for “advanced” classes? Why?   Digging Deeper After completing your response, compare and contrast it with the categories in 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2 and Hebrews 5:11–6:3.

But the phrase to come introduces a question: Is this from the point of view of someone living before Christ or after? If it’s from a perspective of people living before Christ, then what were future blessings to them—the good things to come—are those blessings that are now present realities to us. On the other hand, if to come is written from the perspective of Christians, then the focus would seem to be on blessings we do not yet experience, but will in the future.

Either way, good things have already happened under the new covenant, and even more good things await us. Our sin-debt has been paid, and Christians have a renewed relationship with God right now. As we serve Him now, we look forward to the day when we receive our eternal inheritance in full (Hebrews 9:14, 15).

 

11b. By a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.

 

The reference here is that of the heavenly sanctuary that served as the pattern for the old covenant’s tabernacle (Exodus 25:40; 26:30; Hebrews 8:1, 2, 5). The phrase not made with hands emphasizes this sanctuary’s divine origin and celestial location. Because it was not made by humans, it cannot be destroyed (compare Matthew 6:19–21; 2 Corinthians 5:1; see also Acts 7:48; 17:24).

1. For Eternal Redemption (v. 12)

12a. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place.

 

The writer sharpens the contrast between the old covenant’s Aaronic priesthood (see Exodus 28:1, 41; 29:44; etc.) and the new-covenant priestly work of Christ. God had graciously provided Israel with the sacrificial system as a means to deal with sin. The animal’s life was to be given in exchange for the lives of the worshippers whose sins placed them under the penalty of death (compare Romans 3:23; 6:23).

The sacrificial animals were to be without blemish (Leviticus 4:3, 23, 28, 32; Malachi 1:8). But even if they were, their blood was ultimately inadequate to take away sin (Hebrews 10:1, 4). So, in contrast with the levitical priests who offer the blood of goats and calves, Christ has come into the heavenly holy place with his own blood. His blood is the perfect sacrifice because He was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). He came as the Lamb of God to take away the world’s sins (John 1:29), and He offered himself willingly in that regard (John 10:14–18). The fact that he entered in once into the holy place underscores the total sufficiency of His sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27; 9:28; 10:10).

The writer uses the word blood more than 20 times in this book, but this is only the third instance so far. (The first two are Hebrews 2:14; 9:7). He will have much more to say about blood below.

 

12b. Having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

This half-verse gives the result of Christ’s work as superior priest and superior sacrifice. The word translated redemption can be used to describe the procedure by which a slave is bought out of bondage and granted freedom (see also Luke 1:68; 2:38; 24:21; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; compare Deuteronomy 7:8; Leviticus 25:25–27; etc.).

That the redemption secured by Christ is eternal is significant on two counts. First, redemption is one of six things described as eternal or everlasting in Hebrews. The other five are salvation (Hebrews 5:9), judgment (6:2), God’s Spirit (9:14, below), inheritance (9:15, below), and covenant (13:20; same Greek word translated “everlasting”). The word redemption is in some powerful company indeed!

Second, and closely related, is the fact that the word eternal connotes a permanence associated with Heaven (Psalm 119:89, 90; 2 Corinthians 5:1) in contrast with the temporary nature of those things associated with the old covenant.

 

What Do You Think? What steps can you take to allow the facts in Hebrews 9:12 to help you in future struggles against temptation?   Digging Deeper Consider Matthew 5:48; Romans 6:1, 2, 12, 13; 8:12, 13; 10:9–11; Ephesians 4:22–24; Philippians 2:12; James 2:14–17; 1 Peter 1:15, 16; and 1 John 3:3 as you ponder the division of duties between you, Christ, and the Holy Spirit in this regard.

1. For Full Cleansing (vv. 13, 14)

13, 14. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The thrust of these verses is made in an argument from lesser to greater. This harkens back to a purification ritual described in Numbers 19:1–10, 17–19. People could become unclean by touching dead bodies or coming into contact with things considered unclean under the Mosaic law (Leviticus 11–15; notice that being unclean is not necessarily the same as committing sin). Those in such an unclean state would profane objects with which they came in contact.

For that reason, unclean people were disqualified from participating in tabernacle or temple worship lest they profane the sanctuary. Nevertheless, the law provided sanctification rituals whereby persons could be ritually purified. If the blood of animals could provide external, ritual cleaning, then think of how much more effective is the cleansing provided by Christ’s blood!

The cleansing Christ provides is greater than any other purification for three reasons. First, it came about through the eternal Spirit, by whom He offered himself. Matthew 4:1; 12:28; Luke 4:1; and Acts 1:2 each portray the Holy Spirit’s empowering Jesus for ministry. Second, He was without spot, the importance of which is discussed in our commentary above. Third, He offered himself voluntarily to God (see Hebrews 9:26–28 and comments above). A theory from years ago is that Jesus paid the ransom (Mark 10:45) to Satan, but that’s not true.

Whereas the Old Testament sacrifice would sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, the blood of Christ purges one’s conscience … to serve the living God. A proper conscience is aware of the sins that separate a person from the Lord. This is the second of five instances of the writer using the word conscience. To get a better sense of the intent, compare the usage here with that of the other four: Hebrews 9:9; 10:2, 22; 13:18.

The blood of Christ is qualitatively superior to the blood of bulls and goats. Therefore, the cleansing it has effected is also qualitatively superior. The old covenant dealt with an external problem of humankind and could not cleanse the interior. But Christ has brought the sacrificial system to its fulfillment, having dealt with the whole person as he or she stands before God. “Having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12, above) and having had his or her conscience purged, the believer is now free to serve the living God.

 

What Do You Think? Given what Christ has done with regard to our “dead works,” how will that realization affect your conduct tomorrow?   Digging Deeper Do Romans 6:1–4 and/or Hebrews 6:1–3 change your response? Why, or why not?

1. Better Mediator

(Hebrews 9:15–17)

1. Through Jesus’ Mediation (v. 15)
2. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

 

A mediator is one who intervenes between conflicting parties to remove the disagreement. In His death Christ dealt decisively with the sins to which the old covenant law had called attention. This being so, they which are called—that is, believers in Christ—may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The expression they which are called reminds readers of the author’s designation of them as “partakers of the heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1). Whereas possession of the land of Canaan was Israel’s inheritance under the old covenant (Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 26:52–56), those called into the new covenant now have the promise of entering into eternal fellowship with God (Hebrews 4:1–11). What an inheritance!

 

What Do You Think? How should a person’s perspective on life change when realizing that he or she has entered into a covenant, or contract, with the God of the universe?   Digging Deeper How would, should, and/or could this perspective be driven by the fact that God has established all the terms of the covenant, or contract, and for us, it’s either take it or leave it?

1. Through Jesus’ Death (vv. 16, 17)

16, 17. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

 

It’s easy to get confused at this point, because the Greek word rightly translated “covenant”/‌“testament” is the same word those native speakers use for a will. Think of someone’s “last will and testament.” Things were the same back in the first century as they are today: a will is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. A will may be valid while the maker of the will lives, but the will is not operative, effective, or functional until its maker dies.

So also Christ had to die in order for the new covenant to be put into effect. The Israelites had pledged their obedience to the first covenant (Exodus 19:8; 24:7), and the penalty for breaking the covenant was death (Jeremiah 34:18–20). Under the old covenant, the blood of bulls and goats was offered in place of the death the Israelites deserved. Now, in offering His righteous blood, Christ has suffered the death penalty that rightly is ours.

Where There’s a Will …

History tells some surprising stories from the wills of the rich and famous. Napoleon Bonaparte’s will stipulated that his head be shaved and the hair be divided among his inheritors. Clara Mae Ruth, widow of baseball great Babe Ruth, was left all his property, excepting only “souvenirs, mementoes, pictures, scrap-books, manuscripts, letters, athletic equipment, and other personal property pertaining to baseball.” Finnish businessman Onni Nurmi’s 780 shares of a rubber boot company didn’t seem like much at first to residents of the nursing home who received them. But that company became cell phone giant Nokia, making all the heirs millionaires!

A person’s share of the estate of these famous individuals varied in worth. But the wealth left by the mediator of the new covenant is of unimaginable value. Of all the inheritances real and imagined, which do you most desire to receive? Why?

—J. E.

III. Necessary Death

(Hebrews 9:18–22)

1. Dedicated in Blood (vv. 18–20)

18, 19. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people.

 

Having linked Christ’s death with the activation of the new covenant, the author returns to the role that blood played in establishing the first one. He finds proof in Exodus 24:3–8. The ceremony depicted there describes the act by which Moses consecrated the people to bring them under the old covenant. With Hebrews 9:7–14, 23–25 echoing the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16) to help explain Christ’s work, the allusion here—the ratification of the Mosaic covenant—offers another precedent for doing so. Moses had sprinkled both the book of the covenant and all Israelite people with the blood in order to consecrate them as God’s holy nation. Now it is Christ’s blood that sets apart His followers.

 

20. Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

 

The writer’s noting of Moses’ words here recalls what Jesus said as He instituted the Lord’s Supper: “This is my blood of the new testament” (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; compare Luke 22:20). That connection is all the more powerful given the original audience’s familiarity with Jesus’ words during the last supper. The original readers have recited these words numerous times during their own communion observances.

1. Remission by Blood (vv. 21, 22)

21, 22. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

 

After the events of Exodus 24 to which Hebrews 9:19 alludes, Moses did indeed anoint with oil the tabernacle and its vessels (Exodus 40:9). But Scripture makes no direct statement that Moses sprinkled blood on them during their dedication. Nevertheless, one may assume that he did so, since those things were to be consecrated (40:9; compare 24:6), and consecration of the priests had involved both oil and blood (29:21).

The recounting of this act of consecration constitutes the first half of “lesser to greater” argument, of which Hebrews 9:23–28 (not in today’s text) comprises the second part. This argument essentially repeats and expands upon the content of Hebrews 9:12–14.

 

What Do You Think? Which will be more important in demonstrating the cleansing power of Christ’s blood: our ability to explain the gospel or our example of living as empowered people? Why?   Digging Deeper Compare and contrast Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 9:19–22; 1 Timothy 3:7; 1 Peter 3:1, 2, 15.

The Universal Donor

The first half of the twentieth century witnessed great strides in the medical use of blood. A pioneer in that regard was Dr. Bernard Fantus, an immigrant Hungarian. He became curious about how the blood of one could be donated to save the life of another.

His studies yielded practical application when he established the world’s first blood bank in 1937. Soon blood banks were everywhere. This made surgery more accessible—and saved lives.

But in a more important sense, God beat him to it over 3,000 years before when He declared that “the life of all flesh is the blood thereof” (Leviticus 17:14). This was profoundly realized when the lifeblood of Jesus was substituted for the lives of sinners. That “transfusion” brought those dead in sin back to life. In what specific way will you witness this fact to others this week?

—J. E.

Conclusion

1. The Power of the Blood of Jesus

Under the old covenant, almost all things were purged by use of blood. But the new covenant features a deeper, further reaching, once-for-all cleansing through the blood of Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could never fully atone for past, present, and future sin. Ultimate salvation required the lifeblood of the Son of God.

 

An incident centuries ago caused someone to notice that certain people were sinning against the Lord, in that they were eating meat with the blood still in it (1 Samuel 14:33). But in a figurative sense, Jesus invites us to do just that! The invitation came when He said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:25).

We do just that when we gather around the Lord’s table. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have entered into a new covenant relationship with God. We have been given full access to the Father through Christ. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

1. Prayer

Our Father, we are both saddened and grateful for Your Son’s death on the cross. Saddened because it was our sins that put Him there, but grateful that He was willing to suffer in our place. Empower us to serve Him, our high priest, faithfully. We pray this in His name. Amen.

1. Thought to Remember

Christ’s perfect sacrifice gives us access to God in the new covenant.

 

 

KID’S CORNER

The Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice

June 16, 2019

Hebrews 9:11-22

 

Hebrews 9:11-22

(Hebrews 9:11) But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;

Jesus Christ serves as High Priest for all who entrust their lives to him as their Lord and Savior. Seated in heaven at the right hand of God the Father, Jesus prays (intercedes) for all who follow him. “The greater and more perfect tent” probably means the throne room of God in heaven that we find described in the Book of Revelation, that was represented by the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle (tent of meeting) and later in the temple as the meeting place for God and Moses, and later for God and the Levitical high priest. The tabernacle and Holy of Holies designed by the LORD and built by Moses and the Levites was made by human hands and of “this creation.” Today, we go to Jesus in prayer to meet with God in heaven. As fully human and fully God, Jesus is Mediator in heaven between God the Father and us.

(Hebrews 9:12) and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Because Jesus entered once for all into the holy throne room of God in heaven, He does not need to leave heaven and come back to earth to offer more sacrifices for us to enjoy eternal life. Jesus secured an eternal redemption for all who believe in him as their Lord and Savior. Before the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, temple sacrifices were made everyday by the Levitical priests, and once a year on the Day of Atonement the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for himself and the people. Through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, by Jesus shedding of His own blood on the cross in our behalf, all who believe in Jesus are redeemed forever. Believers in Jesus do not need the sacrifices of mere human priests for the forgiveness of sins or to gain access to God or entry into heaven. Read 1 Peter 1:18-19, and listen to Peter as he explains how precious the death of Christ is for us: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

(Hebrews 9:13) For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,

The blood of goats and bulls (along with a scapegoat) were offered on the Day of Atonement, on the day the Levitical high priest entered the Holy of Holies. Though breaking any of God’s laws defiles the law breaker, “defiled persons” under the old covenant were those who were ritually defiled, perhaps by having touched a dead body or in other ways, and they needed to be sprinkled with the ashes of a heifer in water to be ritually cleansed. It would have been impossible to offer a blood sacrifice for all the ritually defiled people who went to the temple seeking ritual cleansing (ashes in water were more practical). In this way, their external flesh (bodies) were ritually purified or set apart (sanctified) so they could enter the temple (but not the Holy of Holies where the LORD on the Mercy Seat above the Ark of the Covenant would meet with the high priest and receive his sacrifices).

(Hebrews 9:14) how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The sacrifices of the Levitical priests could not cleanse or purify a sinner’s conscience or remove the guilt of sin or change a person’s relationship with God from fear of punishment to loving and serving God out of appreciation for God’s forgiveness. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross could achieve all these things for those who believed in him. When Jesus’ body died in sacrificial death, His eternal Spirit did not die; therefore, Jesus could present himself before God the Father in our behalf and set us apart (sanctify us) for God’s holy, loving service and worship. Because Jesus has died and risen from the dead, He gives the Holy Spirit to indwell those who trust him as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, believers in Christ no longer do “dead works” or “perform rituals” or “offer sacrifices” to appease an angry God they have come to fear because of their sins; instead, they love God and love to obey and serve God because God first loved them and showed that love by forgiving all their sins by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

(Hebrews 9:15) For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

From before the beginning, God planned a way to justly and mercifully forgive those who transgressed the moral law (the Law of Love summed up in the Ten Commandments). Through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, God planned to justly and mercifully forgive the sins of those who truly served and worshiped God under the old covenant revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. Moses was the mediator of that old covenant. As Mediator of the new covenant, Jesus is the One we go to for God’s forgiveness, salvation from sin, divine guidance, spiritual power, eternal life, and much more. Through faith in Jesus as the Mediator of the new covenant, Jesus made the “eternal inheritance” possible for everyone who believes in him. In Matthew 5:5, Jesus promised that the meek will inherit the earth. And the New Testament speaks of Jesus’ followers also inheriting eternal life, the kingdom of God, the imperishable, salvation, what has been promised, and a blessing. In Revelation 21:7, we read, “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

(Hebrews 9:16) For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.

To illustrate what Christ did in fulfilling the old covenant and creating the new covenant as revealed in the New Testament, the writer describes how a will is administered. Before a person can receive an inheritance in a will, the death of the person who made the will must be certified or fully proved. Jesus’ death and burial were fully proved; therefore, believers in Jesus can receive the eternal inheritance He willed for all who will follow him.

(Hebrews 9:17) For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

Jesus’ death was no unplanned accident. Jesus had to die for believers to inherit what could only be given after His death and resurrection. Jesus explained much of what He would do for His followers and promised them even more blessings that at that time they could not even begin to understand when He was alive. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He began to fulfill what He had promised His followers. Because Jesus lives today, He keeps all His promises revealed in the new covenant for our benefit, with more blessings yet to come when He returns as He promised.

(Hebrews 9:18) Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.

By comparison, when God gave Moses the old covenant and the Ten Commandments, along with the designs for the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat, the tabernacle, the priestly garments, and the implements for temple sacrifices and worship, Moses made everything God designed and Moses did all God told him and then Moses sprinkled blood on everything made with human hands and all the people to officially begin the Hebrews religious life under the first covenant.

(Hebrews 9:19) For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

God revealed the Ten Commandments through Moses the mediator to the Hebrews. Then, God created ceremonial provisions for the people to worship God, especially if they broke His laws. The blood of these sacrifices could set apart for holy use the people, the priests, and the implements used in worship. However, religious rituals could not remove the true moral guilt of the Hebrews after they sinned. They could only be saved by grace through faith. In Job 19:25, we see how Job expressed his faith in the Messiah that God planned to send for his redemption: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” When Jesus Christ came, He (and His apostles after His resurrection) showed how the old covenant sacrifices pointed forward to the time when God’s Messiah would make the supreme sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, so those who repented and believed in Jesus would inherit eternal life.

(Hebrews 9:20) saying, “THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD COMMANDED YOU.”

For everyone’s good, God gave the Hebrews the Ten Commandments. Everyone of sound mind must admit that if everyone in a nation obeyed these few commandments that their nation would be a happy place—no theft, no murder, to adultery, no coveting, but people loving and caring for one another and receiving God’s blessings. Since life is in the blood, blood could be used in sacrificial worship to remind the worshipers that doing everything God’s way brings true life and joy to people, but disobeying God results in the shedding of blood and death.

(Hebrews 9:21) And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood.

Unfortunately, even though the blood from sacrifices made people and instruments used in worship ritually holy, the blood of animals did not help transform the Hebrews spiritually and morally to live a loving and holy life in relationship with God and one another. Blood could be sprinkled everywhere, but it did not bring new life—that could only be done after the death and resurrection of God’s Messiah and the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell all Jesus’ followers.

(Hebrews 9:22) And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Under the old covenant, if a person consciously and deliberately violated one of the Ten Commandments, he could not be forgiven by a ritual sacrifice or the shedding of an animal’s blood. He could only be forgiven when God counted him righteous through faith in the true God as revealed in the Bible. Jesus had to come and die and rise again as the promised Messiah before God could with justice and mercy forgive those who believed and repented whether they lived before and after Old Testament times. As their Savior and Lord, by grace through the faith of His followers, Jesus gives believers the eternal inheritance that God prepared for His children.

 

The Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice

June 16, 2019

Hebrews 9:11-22

 

“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14).

Under the old covenant revealed in the Old Testament, the LORD made provisions for cleansing His people from ritual defilements, such as touching a dead body or going into a Roman governor’s palace during Passover. However, sacrifices offered by the priests could not purify a conscience or free believers from trying to do all the works they could in their efforts to be saved. Furthermore, offerings made once a year on the Day of Atonement were only for the forgiveness of unintentional sins, of accidently breaking one of God’s laws. Thankfully, from both the Old and New Testaments, we learn that all who placed their faith in the LORD and trusted in His promises were saved. For examples, Noah believed God and built the ark. Abraham believed God’s promises and offered to sacrifice his son as God commanded; then, God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Abraham’s son. Moses and Elijah believed God and met Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration; still, the salvation of all who believed depended on the future substitutionary sacrificial death of God’s Son for the forgiveness of all sins, intentional and unintentional. Under the new covenant, God will forgive both the intentional and unintentional sins of everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ for their salvation. Now, those who believe in Jesus Christ can live with a clean conscience and have assurance of God’s forgiveness. Now, believers serve God because they love Jesus who saved them, not because they have a list of works that they think they must do to earn eternal life.

 

Thinking Further

The Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice

June 16, 2019

Hebrews 9:11-22

Name _____________________________

 

1. What is one blessing believers in Jesus can receive from Jesus as their High Priest?

 

2. What is one blessing believers in Jesus can receive from Jesus as their sacrifice?

 

3. What had to happen before believers in Jesus could receive their promised eternal inheritance?

 

4. What is one blessing that the followers of Jesus inherit?

 

5. Name something sacrifices under the old covenant could not accomplish for the Hebrews.

 

Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further

 

1. What is one blessing believers in Jesus can receive from Jesus as their High Priest? Jesus will pray (intercede) for us with God, our Heavenly Father.
2. What is one blessing believers in Jesus can receive from Jesus as their sacrifice? The forgiveness of sins, not just ritual cleansing of our flesh, but purity of conscience to serve the living God.
3. What had to happen before believers in Jesus could receive their promised eternal inheritance? Jesus had to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.
4. What is one blessing that the followers of Jesus inherit? Believers in Jesus inherit salvation.
5. Name something sacrifices under the old covenant could not accomplish for the Hebrews. Sacrifices under the old covenant could not bring forgiveness to those who had committed sins with a high hand (consciously planned sins), only incidental or accidental sins could be forgiven through the sacrificial rituals of the old covenant. Only Jesus’ sacrificial death can bring forgiveness for consciously planned sins. Those who had faith in the God of the Hebrew Scriptures; such as Abraham, and those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can have their sins forgiven by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

 

 

Word Search

The Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice

June 16, 2019

Hebrews 9:11-22

Name ___________________________________

 

K C F B W Y F I T C N A S L T

R E D E M P T I O N U F Q S N

M S Q Z S K H S M R G E I L K

I U G C W I N Z C X Y R U G Z

N S Q V G R M T E L H M C R Y

H E M H E C A L P C T Y L O H

E J K L I O J K N M A U R T E

R P T C E F R E P T B X V A R

I R N S B D W S Z U E T P I W

T I K P A Z U G J M R I S D O

A E H I D P E T E R N A L E W

N S U R F O U L G L A G P M S

C T M I V E O M K H C S O G Y

E Y A T S J F L F Y L M C H M

G Q N K P G M V B D E J D W Y

 

Christ

High

Priest

Perfect

Tabernacle

Human

Blood

Inheritance

Holy

Place

Eternal

Redemption

Sanctify

Spirit

Mediator

 

 

True and False Test

The Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice

June 16, 2019

Hebrews 9:11-22

Name _____________________________________

 

Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.

1. As High Priest, Jesus Christ entered the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle built by King Solomon. True or False

 

2. As High Priest, Jesus Christ enters the Most Holy Place each year on the Day of Atonement. True or False

 

3. The blood of Jesus Christ was important in obtaining the eternal redemption of all who believe in him as their Lord and Savior. True or False

 

4. The sprinkled blood and ashes of a heifer mixed together can cleanse the consciences of everyone. True or False

 

5. As our High Priest, Jesus Christ can make us inwardly clean. True or False

 

6. Jesus offered himself unblemished to God so we can serve the living God. True or False

 

7. Sins committed under the first covenant in Old Testament times are impossible for God to forgive. True or False

 

8. If we are not careful how we live after we die, we can lose our inheritance. True or False

 

9. A will never takes effect until someone dies. True or False

 

10. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. True or False

 

True and False Test Answers

1. False
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. False
9. True

10.True

 

Prayer

Our Father, we are both saddened and grateful for Your Son’s death on the cross. Saddened because it was our sins that put Him there, but grateful that He was willing to suffer in our place. Empower us to serve Him, our high priest, faithfully. We pray this in His name. Amen.