Hebrews 8 and 9 (4)

Introduction
The inward and renewing power of Christ’s sacrifice is the focus in these verses. The old system of sacrifices and offerings only accomplished a temporary forgiveness. Christ’s sacrifice reaches all the way to the soul, cleansing us from dead works and putting us on track for the eternal inheritance of God. The good things Christ has accomplished are ours to enjoy, now and forever – if, that is, we hold fast to Him and do not drift away.

Read Isaiah 53.4-11.

Read Hebrews 9.11-15.

Think it through.
1.  At some point following His death and burial, Jesus entered “the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands” – the spiritual sanctuary of heaven – and presented His offering – Himself – before the mercy seat of God. Zechariah 3 seems to speak of this scene. What was Christ wearing? What did that represent? What happened to Him? What are the implications of this for those who believe in and hold fast to Him? Why was His offering a “once for all” offering (vv. 12, 14)?

2.  Christ’s offering reaches beyond outward and temporary propitiations to a new, inward, and utterly transforming work. What does it mean that Christ offered Himself to “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God”? Explain the two reasons for Christ’s sacrifice mentioned in these words. What does Christ do to “cleanse your conscience from dead works” (cf. Ezek. 36.26, 27)? The reference here to “the promise of eternal inheritance” probably indicates the promised rest of God, which the writer focused on earlier in Hebrews. This promise is not only of “good things to come” (v. 11) but of good things to know and enjoy here and now. Explain.

Meditate.
“Our Lord did not enter yearly like their high priest. After his coming he entered only once, not into the shrine which ceases, like their priesthood, but ‘into the Holy’ of Holies of eternity, and he made a propitiation through his blood for all nations.” Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5.21

Cleanse me today, Lord Jesus, and fit me for service to God, so that I might…

Pray Psalm 22.29-31.
Those whom Jesus saves are called to serve Him. As you pray these verses, meditate on the many opportunities you will have to serve God this day.

Psalm 22.29-31 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
All the prosp’rous of the earth shall before His mercy fall;
Bending low before His worth, hear them humbly on Him call.
Even those low in the grave He will by His mercy save.

Let the generations all witness to His saving grace;
Let them to all nations call, “Bow before His holy face!”
Let the children of the earth hear of Jesus’ saving worth!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.