IT'S IN THE BLOOD
HEBREWS 9:11-14
HEBREWS 9:11-14 NKJ
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The phrase "it's in the blood" indicates that someone was born with a certain disposition or family trait.
However, today's passage refers to much more than an inclined direction.
The passage today reveals some key differences in the old and new covenant.
The old covenant had an earthly sanctuary and Holy of Holies made by men. Sacrifices would be made by the priest of bulls and goats and then carried into the Holy place.
But that situation does not pertain to us today. Jesus, our High Priest, did not go into an earthly sanctuary or tabernacle. But He went into the Heavenly Holy of Holies. A tabernacle not made with human hands but made by God.
He did not go into the Holy place with the blood of bulls and goats but with His own blood.
The blood of bulls and goats would only cover sins for a year. The blood of Jesus completely cleansed us and made us new creations. The old covenant dealt with the flesh and was temporary. The new covenant deals with the heart, or spirit, of man and is eternal.
No doubt, this is a deep thought, and an amazing revelation of what Jesus did for us after the cross. But it is more than just deep; it's truly powerful.
APPLICATION
Some of the hymns from past centuries were quite profound in their theological depth. But one theme seemed to run stronger in that day, the blood of Jesus. “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains." This song was written by William Cowper in 1772. Google "There is a Fountain" and read the rest of this hymn. It's stout.
The blood of Jesus should not be relegated to a minor role even if some find it distasteful. But with all the toxic rhetoric on social media, talking about Jesus' blood is mild. But the results of His blood that washed us and purchased us out of the authority of darkness are eternally powerful. I imagine we'll be singing about His blood for eternity. Think I'll start now.
PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus, for Your shed blood that cleanses me and makes me whole. Thank You for the new covenant that has even better promises.