HRC New Testament Reading Plan: daily NT reading devotional thoughts.
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,[a] so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 9:13-14 NIV
Are you grateful for the sacrifice of the blood of Christ?
In Hebrews 9 the author continues his thoughts from Chapter 8, explaining some of the items from the tabernacle (vv. 1-5) and the way the priests ministered in it with sacrifices that involved blood of animals (vv. 6-10). He then contrasts that with the spiritual ministry of Christ in the new covenant (vv. 11-15) where Jesus offered the sacrifice of his own blood. He then explains that, like a will is in force only when someone has died, the covenants required the death and blood of animals, and that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (v. 22).
However, in the first covenant, the high priest needed to offer blood that was not his own every year for the forgiveness of the sins of the people. In God’s new covenant, Jesus made the sacrifice of his blood once to take away sin. Jesus’ sacrifice was better: he did away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Through his death on the cross, he shed the blood that is required for our forgiveness.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Oh! precious is the flow
What Can Wash Away My Sin from hymnal.net
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
How precious is the blood of Jesus! Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV). His blood is the only way we could be forgiven and have salvation.
Questions:
- Hebrews 9 discusses some details of the tabernacle, ark and lampstand (see Exodus 25 and 26) and the sacrifices (see Numbers 19 and Leviticus 11, etc.). What was the purpose of these regulations and rituals? How were these a “copy” of the sanctuary in heaven (v. 24)?
- What needed to take place for Jesus to sacrifice his blood for our sins? How would your life be different if you didn’t have Jesus sacrifice for forgiveness?
- Consider the blessings you have because of Jesus’ blood. Take time to express your thankfulness in prayer.