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Hebrews 9:11-15

¹¹So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. ¹²Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever.

¹³Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ritual defilement. ¹⁴Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. ¹⁵That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

Reflect

The blood of goats and calves was sufficient for a temporary covering of sin; but only a perfect sacrifice could obtain eternal redemption. Jesus, as our High Priest ministers in Gods house in heaven and by his shed blood, we are eternally redeemed.

That is why we, who live under God’s new contract, can have fellowship with Him at any time. Jesus secured place for us in His kingdom. His sacrifice was superior in that it was perfect, voluntary, rational, and motivated by love. Where the old contract was for temporary forgiveness, the new contract is for permanent forgiveness.

Respond

What are some rituals that you are aware of that are practiced in churches today?

Do they have any relevance today under the New Convenant?

Since Christ died to set us free from the penalty of sin, what is our role in the redemptive process?

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