Hebrews 9 - Introduction

The Redeemer's Great Sacrifice

-- Hebrews Nine --

In Hebrews nine the writer continues to show that Christ, as High Priest, is superior to the Jewish high priest. He is the "Mediator" of a better covenant. In this chapter we observe the true significance of the sacrifice of Jesus. This section of Scripture provides a comparison of our Redeemer to the Old Testament priest. The point is that the Old was only a figure of the true.

We here have a description of the tabernacle and of some of the utensils that were in tabernacle service. We are allowed a look into the service rendered once each year by the Jewish high priest. All of this was symbolic of Christ entering into the most holy place in heaven on our behalf.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, (1) Pertained to a more perfect tabernacle, (2) Offered more perfect blood, and (3) Entered a more perfect Holy Place. He did not offer the blood of bulls and goats, but His own blood. With His own precious blood He entered into the most holy place in heaven. The blood of Christ did what the blood of bulls and goats could not do -- it took away sin. His blood not only remits the sins of those living in the present, but it extends backwards, to those living in past ages, and removes the sins of those who obeyed God in those old ages as well.

It was necessary that the Mediator of the new covenant shed His blood. The offering made by our Redeemer was a one time for all sacrifice. It is appointed to man to die once; and so Christ died but once. Jesus did not cease to exist when He died. He will appear a second time to receive, to eternal salvation, all who truly love Him, and who wait for his appearing.