LIVING WITH A CONFIDENT FAITH IN CHRIST

Jesus Made The Only Sacrifice You Need

Hebrews 9:1-23

Jerry A Collins

SCC

3/24/02

¨ Is the Old Testament system only shadow of things to come?

What reality does Jesus bring in contrast to the old shadow?

What kind of Priest and tabernacle is necessary today?

Every once in awhile we get jolted by something we thot was real but turns out only seemed real. This happened to me while sitting at a stop light. For a split second I panicked as I was engulfed by a large shadow and loud roar. A semi-truck had timed the slight well enough to not have to stop but barrel thru as the light turned green. While I was fully stopped and completely unaware of the oncoming passing semi. For that split second I thot I was being hit and I was a goner. Then it passed and was gone and there I sat untouched having only been duped by a passing shadow and loud noise. My heart left my throat and I was able to proceed to my destination still quite flustered by the whole thing. In our passage we will see that the OT system is merely a shadow of reality. Like the shadow of the semi that passed me by, the OT system served as a copy, a shadow of what is in heaven (Heb 8:5). It is an illustration for the present time (9:9) and the copies of the heavenly things (9:23). These three words, shadow, illustration & copy tell us the same thing, namely, that the real is in heaven and the shadow here on earth. That which God instituted on Mt Sanai with Moses, the Law, the sacrifices, the tabernacle was merely an illustration of the work of Christ signifying what lay in store for the nation of Israel. So the sacrificial system was never intended to bring reality but only reflect it and point to the true meaning when it came. And there are two realities it pointed to as it’s copy or shadow.

1. IT POINTED TO A BETTER

SANCTUARY AND SERVICE 9:1-10

The old tabernacle was a symbol of the new tabernacle we now have in Jesus Christ. Several items in the old one reflected the new one we have in Christ.

A. Parts & Furniture of the Tabernacle 1-5

Here is a review of the OT tabernacle ritual and parts vs 1. That first one was only earthly. It had 2 parts called a holy place (vs 2) and Holy of Holies (vs 3). The Holy Place contained 3 items. First was the table of showbread every Sabbath 12 freshly baked loaves of bread representing the 12 tribes placed there. This bread of presence was holy and only eaten by the priests. Second, the 7-branched candlestick made of gold with pure olive oil burned in it night and day. Third, the altar of incense, the burring incense symbolizing the people’s prayers rising to God continually. The Holy of Holies (vs 3) was beyond a veil and in it stood the ark of the covenant made of gold and wood. It contained a golden pot holding a sample of manna God used to feed His people in wilderness, Aaron’s rod that budded (Num 17) and the stone tablets of the law engraved by God’s finger. Sitting above this ark stood two cherubim, images of guarding type angels each with a wing stretched over the top called the mercy seat and a wing covering himself. It was at this mercy seat that the presence of God was. All of these had typological value but could not be discussed just now because the important thing is the reality not the type (vs 5).

B. The Priestly service 6-10

This priestly work in the Holy Place was continual and repetitive vs 6. The priestly service in the Holy of Holies had greater restrictions vs 7. They included (1) HofH entered only once a year on day of Atonement (2) only High Priest could enter (3) he needed same protection of the blood as the offerers. This whole regimented system revealed 2 of it’s weaknesses.

First, this system/service could not reconcile a person to God. This restricted access clearly demonstrated that a true entrance into God’s presence had not yet been disclosed vs 8.

Second, this system/service was unable to reach the conscience vs 9-10. Its ceremonies could only cleanse the outer man. The food, washings, regulations are only temporary and insufficient. These externals were only meant to apply until the time of the new order to arrive. The God would set things rite thru Christ. Patterns are never meant to substitute for reality. We don’t wear patterns of clothing but the clothing the patterns typified.

2. IT POINTED TO A BETTER SACRIFICE 11-22

(1) Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was superior.

A. Because of the scene in which it takes place vs 11. It is not an earthly but a heavenly tabernacle. This is a contrast between the earthly sanctuary and the divine ideal one in which Christ entered. This is both greater and more perfect than the old.

B. Because of the nature of this offering vs 12. The goat was for the people (Lev 16:15), the bull for the priest (Lev 12:11). Jesus blood left the way open forever.

C. Because of the accomplishment of this sacrifice vs 12. The value of this sacrifice is immeasurably greater than the animal offerings of the old system. A perfect ransom price been paid for human redemption and because there is no need to be paid again that redemption is an eternal one!

(2) Jesus Christ’s sacrifice has superior results 13-22

A. It provides us with genuine cleansing 13-14. Old covenant rituals only cleaned the outside. But Christ’s sacrifice was absolutely perfect. So much so, that there is no reason to return to the dead works of the old system that could not do this inside job on us. In contrast to Christ’s work which, that old system can never impart spiritual life to us. It is the blood of Christ which removes our defilement, cleanses our conscience and sets us free. (Discovery channel show about people wanting to be freed of guilt by turning selves in).

B. It Ratifies a new covenant 15-22 A new covenant is needed and Christ is it’s mediator so we can receive an eternal inheritance vs 15. A blood covenant is unchangeable when it has been ratified by blood. Until that point the terms can be changed. Christ ratified it with his own blood not that of an animal 16-17. Both the Old and New covenants put into effect by blood. The old could be done away because it was a shadow, a type but it was binding until then. The forgiveness of God is a costly thing. The blood of animals to ratify the old and the blood of Christ redeems in the new. In either case without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness vs 18-22.

(1) The worship we offer to God is pale reflection of the true worship i8n heaven. Our liturgy, forma, institutions no more sacred than furniture of the tabernacle.

(2) The old was a preview of coming attractions in Jesus Christ. It is completed and the new is here.

(3) The church is but a shadow of the heavenly congregation we will have then.