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Day 9 Hebrews 9 Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid roundabout with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come a 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 a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies 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 lives. 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. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them who look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. People who go to church are familiar with ordinances and rituals, traditions they’ve taken part in and their parents and grandparents before them. They know how things have always been done in the church. The writer to the Hebrews recounts the traditions they were familiar with in the once a year sacrifices by the high priest for the sins of the people and correlated those sacrifices with Jesus’ sacrifice. Before Jesus’ death, the high priest entered into the holy of holies through a curtain a veil hidden from the people and made sacrifices for himself first and then for the people. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom signifying the perfect sacrifice was made for everyone’s sins and they were free to enter into the holy of holies, God’s presence. The way was made through Jesus’ blood. As Christians, you can go boldly to the throne of God’s grace where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for you. You don’t need a special sacrifice. You only need a broken and contrite heart acknowledging your sin and God will forgive you because the blood of Jesus Christ covers you. Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (KJV) 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV) There is nothing more you need to do. Jesus did it all. He paid the penalty for your sin on the cross with His blood. He covers you with His blood so you can stand before the Father guiltless. Only one thing remains - Jesus’ return. Your salvation was paid for on the cross. Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Let’s pray: Father, thank you for the sacrifice Jesus made for my sin. Thank you that I can come boldly before Your throne of grace, knowing my sins are forgiven. Help me see me as forgiven through the blood of Jesus. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 3 June 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay.