Introduction

Hebrews 9 continues to develop the theme of the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood and the New Covenant. The chapter contrasts the old and new covenants by examining the earthly sanctuary and its rituals and highlighting the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice in cleansing the conscience and securing eternal redemption for believers.

The Earthly Sanctuary

Description of the Tabernacle

The author begins by describing the earthly sanctuary, the tabernacle, which was part of the old covenant. The first room, called the Holy Place, contained the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. Behind the second curtain was the room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. The ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover (Hebrews 9:1-5).

The Priestly Duties

The author explains that the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance (Hebrews 9:6-7). This highlights the limited access and repetitive nature of the old covenant sacrifices.

Symbolism of the Old Covenant

The Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order (Hebrews 9:8-10). This points to the temporary and incomplete nature of the old covenant.

The Heavenly Sanctuary and Christ’s Sacrifice

Christ’s Superior Ministry

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). This emphasizes the superiority and efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice.

Cleansing of the Conscience

The author explains that the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:13-14). This highlights the internal and transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice.

Mediator of the New Covenant

For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15). This underscores Christ’s role in inaugurating the New Covenant through His death.

Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness

The author explains that in the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool, and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:16-22). This underscores the necessity of blood for the forgiveness of sins under both covenants.

The Perfect Sacrifice of Christ

The Heavenly Sanctuary

The author states that it was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence (Hebrews 9:23-24). This emphasizes the superiority of the heavenly sanctuary and Christ’s ministry there.

Once for All Sacrifice

Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:25-26). This highlights the finality and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.

Christ’s Return

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:27-28). This provides assurance of Christ’s return and the completion of our salvation.

Conclusion: Significance and Relevance

Connection to Jesus Christ

Hebrews 9 is deeply connected to Jesus Christ as it emphasizes His role as the High Priest of the New Covenant. Jesus’ sacrifice is presented as superior to the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant. His blood cleanses the conscience and secures eternal redemption, contrasting sharply with the temporary and external cleansing provided by the blood of animals. Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary underscore His unique and ultimate role in God’s redemptive plan.

God’s Love for the World

This chapter demonstrates God’s love by highlighting the provision of a perfect and eternal sacrifice through Jesus Christ. The old covenant’s rituals and sacrifices were insufficient to fully reconcile humanity to God, but through Jesus’ sacrificial death, believers receive complete forgiveness and a cleansed conscience. The promise of Jesus’ return to bring final salvation further reflects God’s deep love and commitment to His people.

Contemporary Relevance

Hebrews 9 remains profoundly relevant today as it addresses the need for a perfect mediator and the assurance of eternal redemption. The chapter’s emphasis on the superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice challenges believers to rely fully on His completed work for their salvation. The assurance of a cleansed conscience and the promise of Jesus’ return provide profound hope and encouragement in a world marked by sin and uncertainty.

The chapter’s focus on the New Covenant established through Jesus encourages believers to move beyond external rituals and embrace the internal transformation brought about by Christ’s sacrifice. The permanence and efficacy of Jesus’ sacrifice call believers to live in the light of this new reality, with confidence in the complete forgiveness and eternal redemption secured through Him.

Through its focus on the perfect and eternal sacrifice of Jesus and the superiority of the New Covenant, Hebrews 9 equips believers to understand and appreciate the depth of God’s love and the completeness of Jesus’ redemptive work. It calls for a response of faith, trust in Jesus as the perfect High Priest, and a commitment to living out the transformative realities of the New Covenant in daily life.