Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Easter Monday - Hebrews 9:1-28

Monday after Easter

Daily Lectionary Readings: Exodus 15:1-18; Hebrews 9:1-28; (Sirach 33)

Hebrews 9:1–10 [1] Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. [2] For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. [3] Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, [4] having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. [5] Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

[6] These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, [7] but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. [8] 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 [9] (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, [10] but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

The preacher used Hebrews 7-8 to set up the analogy of the new covenant being the better covenant over the old. The old covenant was always intended to be replaced. Since Christ was not qualified to be an Aaronic priest, He cannot be serving under the old covenant. Therefore He must be a priest of a different order under a different covenant. Chapters 9 & 10 set up two more analogies, the place of worship and the activities of worship, respectively. The old is not dismissed nor discarded but replaced. We still need a priest, a house, and an atoning sacrifice – and they are all better served to us by the new covenant in Christ.

v.1 Both covenants had rules, procedures, etc.

v.2-7 The practices of the old covenant: the tabernacle is designed as an onion-like series of chambers with the ark in the center. Herein dwelt the glory of God, but it was separated by a veil. No one could see it save the high priest, and that only one day after offering a sacrifice for his sins. At the next chamber out, only Levitical priests could enter. They offered sacrifices first for their sins and then for the sins of the people. Daily. In this way, Israel could remain in the covenant of the Law, despite their inability to keep the Law. These two chambers were furnished with unique and specialized furnishings. Lamp, showbread table, incense altar, the Ark of the covenant. Only the priests saw some, and only the high priest saw all.

v.8 The Holy Spirit spoke through Moses, giving all these things for their divinely intended purpose, though all were not fully revealed – not yet – not until Christ.

v.9-10 This evidences that all Scripture is given for instruction (all of it – not just the parts you understand, or the parts you like – all of it), and is inspired by God to teach what is important.

v.9-10 All of these chambers and barriers to entry taught that the way to God has not yet been fully revealed. We know we are no longer under the Law, through the Law is still useful for instruction. In studying the Law, we learn about God's plan for Israel and the way the Law paints the picture of Christ's fulfillment of that plan.

As long as the tabernacle was in use, it served as a billboard showing how Israel's sin was a barrier to God and that a solution to that sin had still not been given by God. The billboard reads, "wait quietly and patiently" (cf. Lamentations 3:22-33). The solution is, of course, Christ.

v.9-10 All of these sacrifices and rituals do nothing to cleanse the worshiper's conscience. The participating worshiper never experienced relief from the guilt of sin, only a limited and temporary sense of resolution. Because they knew future sin would require sacrifice, they could never feel fully clean. They knew sin remained a problem and remained a barrier to God. Knowing the Law required continued sacrifice reminded them that they were not truly cleansed. None of these sacrifices actually solved the problem of sin. They did not address the fundamental problem of a dead spirit. Something greater is still required. The only way to know true freedom from the guilt of sin is for God Himself to clean our consciences by applying Christ's righteousness to us. This is the difference between Law & Grace. The Law continually accuses us of sin and reminds us we need atonement. By grace, we are made to be righteous by Christ's sacrifice on the cross on our behalf.