Hebrews 9 - Printer Friendly

What does Hebrews 9 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

The book of Hebrews seeks to reassure persecuted Jewish Christians that Christ, not the Old Testament Law, is God's ultimate plan for their salvation. This is presented mostly by showing how God made clear, in Scripture, His intent to bring about a new covenant. Up to now, the writer of Hebrews has proven his case using various examples and quotations from the Old Testament. In particular, the example of Melchizedek was used to demonstrate that God's final solution for sin was not tied to the priests descended from Aaron. In chapter 8, a quotation from the book of Jeremiah showed how God promised a new covenant free from the limitations of the existing arrangement.

Chapter 9 continues to explain the preeminence of the new covenant by focusing on two aspects: First is the superiority of where the sacrifice for sin is applied in the new covenant. Second is the superiority of Christ's sacrifice, compared to that of the old covenant. This leads, in chapter 10, to a summation of this part of the book of Hebrews.

The instructions God gave to Moses in the Old Testament involved the construction of a tabernacle, or a tent, which was used as a movable temple by the people of Israel. This building contained several artifacts, as well as two rooms. The purpose of these items was symbolism: they were meant to be "shadows" of the future (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1), when Christ would completely fulfill God's plan (Hebrews 9:23–24). According to this chapter, the symbolism here is mostly meant to show how the old covenant is limited. The curtains which designated the Holy Place and Most Holy Place symbolized man's separation from God (Hebrews 9:8). The earthly nature of the temple, as well as the limited nature of the animal sacrifices, pointed to the need for a more permanent, spiritual solution to sin (Hebrews 9:9–10).

Since Christ serves as a high priest in heaven, not on earth, His service is in the "true" holy places (Hebrews 9:11–12). Rather than being a shadow or symbol, Christ's actions are the "real deal."

Christ's sacrifice is also superior to the old covenant's use of animal sacrifices. Priests had to continually offer sacrifices, not only for the sins of the people, but for their own (Hebrews 9:7). Ultimately, the death of an animal could only provide for easing feelings of guilt and ceremonial purity (Hebrews 9:9–10). Animal blood cannot accomplish a change of man from the inside.

In contrast, Christ's sacrifice was perfect and free from sin (Hebrews 7:26). His life was entirely human (Hebrews 4:15). This makes His sacrifice perfect, and an act which only needs to be performed once. This single sacrifice, then, is not only applied in a better "temple" than that on earth, it is also a more effective and more perfect atonement for our sin.

The writer ends this particular section with an analogy about the relationship between death and judgment (Hebrews 9:27–28). Each man, contrary to what other religions teach, experiences a single death and a subsequent judgment. In a parallel way, Christ came to earth in order to die—once for all—and when He comes again, it will not be as a sacrifice. Rather, it will be to finalize God's salvation for those who accept Christ, and the judgment of all those who do not.

Hebrews 9:1–10 explains how the rooms and artifacts of the temple were only meant as symbols. In fact, those items were specifically intended to show how the old covenant could not remove the barrier between God and man. The use of external rituals can only assuage feelings of guilt, it cannot actually remove sin or change a person's nature. The existence of the curtains, separating men from the holy places, is also symbolic of how the old covenant leaves us apart from God. This sets up a comparison, in the following passage, showing how Christ's sacrifice fulfills those symbols and achieves a perfection of our relationship with God.

Hebrews 9:11–28 continues to explain how the new covenant in Jesus Christ is superior to the old covenant. This passage focuses on two main advantages of this arrangement: that Christ serves in a better temple, and that Christ offers a superior sacrifice. The physical temple, and its implements, were meant to be symbols of Christ's ''true'' place of service in heaven. Unlike limited sacrifices of animals, Jesus' single death was able to completely save us from sin.

Chapter Summary:

Hebrews chapter 9 explains how the old covenant included various physical locations and physical rituals. These, according to the writer of Hebrews, were always intended as symbols. Their details, and the drawbacks which they suffered from, were meant to point towards the ''true'' means of our redemption, which is Christ. Unlike animal sacrifices, which must be repeated, and which cannot change man on the inside, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a once for all, permanent, and completely effective solution to sin. The fact that Christ died for sin only once also means that His next arrival, in the future, will not be as a sacrifice, but as the final fulfillment of God's plan.

Chapter Context:

Chapter 9 continues the writer's explanation of the superiority of Christ. In chapter 8, this focused on the idea that God had promised a new covenant, even as the old covenant was still in effect. This not only means that the new covenant must be different, but that the old covenant must be flawed. Here in chapter 9, the writer focuses on the fact that the old covenant featured aspects which were meant only as symbols of the ''true'' high priesthood of Christ. Since Christ's sacrifice is more powerful, and performed in a better place, it is more effective in securing our salvation than the sacrifices of animals. Chapter 10 will continue this discussion by wrapping up these various ideas about the superiority of the new covenant.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.

Accessed 5/7/2024 10:19:16 PM