Hebrews 9:11-28

The Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ

The primary emphasis in Hebrews 9 is the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. This concept is essential for our salvation, for living out our salvation in a way that honors God, and for persevering through trials. Christ's death points to the shedding of his blood, which he brought to the Father as our High Priest. No high priest enters the Holy of Holies without blood. Christ entered with his own sinless, spotless, perfect blood.

There are three aspects to Christ's death: it was necessary, exemplary, and satisfactory.

Christ's Death Was Necessary

Hebrews 9:15-22: "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance—for where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant which God has enjoined upon you.' Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission."

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Christ's death was essential for forgiveness and for effectuating the new covenant. The word "testator" refers to a will that takes effect upon death. The covenant goes into effect through Christ's shed blood. This refutes systems like Islam, which view forgiveness as Allah simply forgiving without satisfying justice.

Christ's Death Was Exemplary

Christ's death is the exemplary pattern throughout Hebrews. It is unlike Old Testament sacrifices. It perfects our salvation, brings us into communion with God, enables us to die to sin and live for righteousness, and conforms us to Christ. It is a better sacrifice from a better servant offered in a better sanctuary.

Christ's Death Was Satisfactory

Hebrews 9:23-28: "Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world. But now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."

Christ's offering is non-repeatable—a sufficient, once-for-all, perfect sacrifice. This dismantles systems like Roman Catholicism that repeat sacrifices. Believers eagerly await Christ's return, not for sin but for salvation. A church not awaiting his return has lost passion for the gospel.

A High View of Christ's Blood

The blood of Jesus is unique, superior, and immeasurable. It separates Christianity from all other religions. The second person of the Trinity took on flesh to die and rise. No other religion claims this. Christ's blood is not common, as the apostate regards it (Hebrews 10:26-31). In the Lord's Supper, the cup represents the covenant in his blood—a proclamation of this reality.

Altering the gospel in any way makes it no gospel at all, as in Galatians 1. The Judaizers accepted Christ's work but added circumcision, corrupting it.

Unique Identity in Christ

Christ's unique ministry produces unique worshipers with unique identity. He entered as forerunner for us (Hebrews 6:20), saves forever those who draw near (Hebrews 7:25), appears for us in heaven (Hebrews 9:24), inaugurates a new way through his flesh (Hebrews 10:20), and provides something better so Old Testament saints are perfected with us (Hebrews 11:40).

This identity means we are crucified with Christ; it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us by faith in him who loved and gave himself for us.

Three Identities in Hebrews

Hebrews identifies three groups professing faith in Christ:

1. Mature believers: Their lives match their profession through love for God and others, service, and diligence (Hebrews 6). They imitate faith worth following (Hebrews 11, 13). They possess joy, contentment, peace, and assurance amid tribulation, like the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7) or Job.
2. Immature believers: Stalled in growth, needing milk not meat (Hebrews 5). Double-minded, unstable like waves (James 1:6-8; 4:8). Yet God disciplines them toward maturity (Hebrews 12).
3. Apostates: Profess faith but have hard, unbelieving hearts (three warning passages). They regard Christ's blood as common, fall away. Hard to distinguish from immature externally, but first-century apostates outdid modern professors (Matthew 7:22-23; 1 John 2:19). Examples in Exodus 16-17; 1 Corinthians 10.

Two groups have genuine identity with Christ's blood; apostates have false identity. Mature believers focus on Christ's blood for cleansing amid trials (like Peter walking on water, held by Christ).

Which Group Are You In?

Examine yourself: Are you content in Christ alone, with peace surpassing understanding, victory over sin, love for God and brethren? Or is your life chaotic, stalled, or indifferent to the gospel? Don't settle in maturity—grow, await Christ eagerly. Immature: Lay aside encumbrances for maturity. Apostate: Embrace the gospel; call on the Lord and be saved. Nothing but the blood of Jesus washes away sin.