Thursday, 27 August 2020 Hebrews 9:1-28
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent .......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." -Hebrews 9: 11-12
In today's reading, the writer brings out how the New Covenant is much superior to the old one. In the previous chapter (Heb.8), he had taken pains to discuss in detail about the covenant. Now he tries to bring out the differences in the ministration of the services and the tabernacle itself. To establish the real differences and superiority, he has described in detail the sanctuary in the Old Testament comparing it with the more perfect one that is in heaven. The important thing to note here is that everything in the old system of worship foreshadows Christ.
Now understanding all these differences and the superiority, let us see how the worship of God differs in both cases. In the old system everything was centered on rituals and sacrifices. But with all these detailed ceremonies, the worshipper was not able to experience God in reality and worship him. As we read in Hebrews 9:8-9: “By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing......According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.” So in reality the worshipper was not able to reach God with a purified conscience and offer his worship. But in contrast, we have a heavenly sanctuary into which Christ has entered and offered His own blood for our redemption. Hence He opened to us a way into the very presence of God. Because of this, we can now come boldly before the very throne of God Himself and offer our worship. (Heb 4:16: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.)
The new covenant of grace not only brings us closer to God, but also establishes us into a relationship with God as our Father. This relation as sons of God, offers us great freedom so that we can approach God freely and worship Him in spirit and truth. We read in John 4:21-24 of what Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman: Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father......., when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Today we are called and separated through faith in Christ into all that Jesus has done for us, so that we can reach out to God in person and have this wonderful relationship with Him as our Father and worship Him in spirit and truth. With a conscience purified with the blood of Christ (Heb.9:14), let us boldly come before the heavenly throne of grace and worship God, centered on this covenant relationship with Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to You through Your Son who shed His blood for me and made me stand before Your very throne in heaven- here I offer my worship to You from a cleansed conscience. In Jesus name. Amen.
Comments