Hebrews 9:1-10

Introduction to Hebrews 9

Tonight we dive into Hebrews 9, looking at the first 14 verses. This passage introduces concepts central to the book's context: an audience facing pressure from a culture that doesn't want them to be Christian. Even in our society, which claims to be one nation under God, the prevailing view often reduces Christianity to a good moral system. But Christianity is far more—it's life-changing salvation from sin's corruption.

We've discussed the sufficiency and superiority of Christ's sacrifice. Tonight, we explore what that produces in our lives: a relationship between God and the worshiper. Christ's work as high priest and mediator of the new covenant produces worshipers.

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared, the first part in which was the lampstand, the table and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All (which is called the Holy of Holies), which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot make him who performed the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience, concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Context: A Culture Opposed to True Christianity

Context is king. The Hebrews' audience faced persecution because Christianity wasn't the status quo. The Old Testament sacrificial system was: priests offering sacrifices daily, as Hebrews 10 notes, "every priest stands daily offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins."

Abandoning that for faith in the crucified Christ was offensive. The cross offended Jews expecting a political Messiah to overthrow Rome. Christianity spread rapidly, as Tertullian noted in his Apology, filling cities yet leaving pagan temples untouched.

Three Key Insights from the Text

1. Explanation of Old Testament Worship

The author details the tabernacle: the sanctuary with lampstand, table, and showbread; the Holy of Holies with ark, manna, Aaron's rod, tablets, and mercy seat. Priests entered the first part continually; the high priest entered the second once a year with blood for sins in ignorance.

This was symbolic, physical representations of spiritual realities not yet realized in Christ. It provided ritual purity—washings, inspections—for access to God, not moral purity or sin forgiveness. The Levitical system was weak and useless for that.

Old Testament worship pointed forward, exercising faith in the coming Messiah, as Abel did based on Genesis 3's promise of the seed of the woman.

2. The Holy Spirit's Signification

The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time...

Animal blood couldn't perfect the worshiper's conscience—the ability to discern good from evil. Without Christ's blood, people suppress God's knowledge through unrighteousness (Romans 1). Common grace restrains evil, but only Christ's blood cleanses the conscience from dead works (sin) to serve the living God.

3. Eternal Redemption

Christ entered the greater tabernacle with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption. If animal blood purified flesh, how much more Christ's blood cleanses conscience.

What Christ's Work Produces: True Worshipers

A true worshiper draws near to God with a cleansed conscience, esteeming Christ supremely valuable above idols demanding service.

Philippians 3:3: For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

True Israel has Abraham's faith—circumcision of the heart.

Hebrews 12:28: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Worship is grateful service—favoritism toward God—with reverence (fear, caution not to offend Him) and awe (profound respect). Not flippant, but cautious, prioritizing God's view over man's (Galatians 1:10).

Romans 1:9: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.

True worship flows from the gospel: preaching it, singing it, living it worthily. Not a weekly hobby, but daily meditation, like David's delight in the law (Psalm 1). Gospel obsessors persevere, matching profession to lifestyle, drawing near to God.