Hebrews 9:11–14 (ESV):
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
I loved Pastor Scott Hollingshead’s Good Friday message tonight based on this powerful text from Hebrews. Pastor Scott talked about the great sacrifice of Christ and how it came as a fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament temple system.
God gave the people of Israel a system that pointed forward to something far greater. Unfortunately, people focused on the silhouette or shadow of what was to come and did not recognize that Christ came to fulfill it.
Christ’s death on the cross was the work of a great high priest who offered a greater sacrifice in several respects.
Most significantly, in the Old Testament the day of atonement only cleansed the sins of the previous year. The blood of bull and goats needed to be offered each year because these sacrifices could only offer temporary relief. By contrast, Christ’s redemption is permanent, not just limited to one year They had to come every year. We come once and for all and receive.
Christ reaches back to the very first sin we ever committed and even to our very nature.
He reaches out and redeems us into the future.
This was possible because Christ had a sanctuary far greater than the temple. In Christ, God came and tabernacled among us. His tent was enfleshed. His work was done in human flesh. The fullness of diety could dwell in him bodily. John 1:14. Christ had a glory far greater than the tabernacle or temple. His sacrifice was therefore so much greater.
And because he was God, he was able to enter into the presence of the Father and permanently advocate for us there. And he allows us access to the heavenly places and sends us all heavenly blessings including the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
Because of Christ’s great redemption, we can have confidence in our salvation. His work is finished and will not be withdrawn from us.
Christ doesn’t do take backs
Christ loves us for who we are today not just in the future
He pleads his blood for every sin until we are brought home in glory.
I am so grateful that God provided such a great savior and such a complete salvation. We do not need inferior priesthood ordinances or temples made of hands because Christ is our great high priest and he has once and for all provided us with all blessings in the heavenly places where he serves as our advocate We do not need to come week after week and be forgiven again and again. We come to the Lord’s table to feast as members of his redeemed family and we are filled.
Boasting In Christ Alone 