June 09, 2025 | Be God's Family
Christ Entered with His Own Blood
Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-14(NIV)
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Devotional
The book of Hebrews is by an author trying to convince his Jewish audience that Jesus and Christianity are a fulfillment of the scriptures and, therefore, a better way to God. The author has made many arguments to that end in previous chapters but, in our reading today, we find him addressing the most important day of the Jewish year: Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.
Leviticus 16 gives us God's instructions about what should happen on Yom Kippur. In the Temple there were two rooms. One was the Holy Place, which was full of priests doing priestly things every day of the year. Beyond that, there was another room called the Holy of Holies. It only had one piece of furniture, the Ark of the Covenant (think Raiders of the Lost Ark) and it was closed off by a thick veil. Only the high priest could enter that room and, even then, he could only enter it one day a year to make atonement to God for Israel's sins.
That is where today's reading picks up, "But when Christ came as high priest… he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands…"
Prior to Yom Kippur, the priest would be put in seclusion all week. Then he bathed behind a thin screen right in front of everyone in the temple. They watched him intently making sure he did everything just right, lest one small mistake cause Israel to be unforgiven for another year. Then the priest had to dress in brand new linens and make three sacrifices. First, he made atonement for himself. Then, he could make atonement for the other priests. Only then could he could make atonement for all of Israel.
The Hebrew readers understood this long and complicated process, so imagine their surprise when the author talks about a new high priest who can waltz right into the Holy of Holies any time He wants and who doesn't require three sacrifices, because He was the sacrifice. What's more is that His forgiveness is not just for one year, but eternally. Minds blown!
"He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption."
This same curtain that closed off the Holy of Holies is the one that was torn in two as Jesus "gave up His spirit" on the cross (Matt. 27:51). That curtain was torn to give YOU direct access to the Holy of Holies. Think about that!
What better time to enter directly into God's presence than in prayer than right now?
Poem
How Much More?
Psalm 38
Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
Psalm 38: 21-22
When God removes the fig leaves we use covering our souls
Exposing shame, exposing sin, exposing lies we hold
We cannot help but shrink in fear
We cannot deal with filth so near
We beg God, “How much more of guilt
Can I be asked to bear?”
The “How much more?”—its great display, a gifting, form of grace
To see dark soul, as it is, a true mirrored face to face
Though hard to bear, “much” love can’t grow
Until “much” of God’s mercy know
For then we run to God and say
“How much more grace for me today!”
For shadowed were the temple rites upon the altar laid
The blood of goats and cows and sheep there on display
‘Twas not enough to cleanse the heart
‘Twas not enough, sin to depart
But “How much more?” Christ’s precious blood
Poured out to cover us in love!
