This week our author details for us one of the brightest pictures for rejoicing in the entire book. The first portion of the picture shows the old. The Tabernacle frames the picture with its rooms and furnishings. Priests perform daily and once a year offerings and sacrifices. This portion of the picture reflects a never ending need to be cleansed. It portrays the distance between God and His people. Worshippers stand on the outside peering in longing for clean consciences and an end of burdensome work. In “this present time” the picture, mostly black and white with deep shadows, points to a time of a new order, a time of reformation.

For the first time we see a splash of color. Light dawns the canvas and shadows disappear. The picture is now framed by Christ. The rooms and furnishings are obsolete. Daily performance is replaced by once-for-all. External things move inside; the law no longer part of cold stone but written on warm flesh. The blood of goats and bulls no longer flow. The Blood of the perfect Sacrifice touches the conscience of the worshipper and the conscience is made perfect. Now, without burden, the worshipper serves the Living God. God and His people are one.

This is the account of every believer’s history with God. The picture is glorious!

HOMEWORK:

Read 1 Peter 2:9-10

In verse 9 Peter calls all believers a Royal Priesthood. How does this fit with the picture of the worshipper with a conscience made perfect by the Blood of Christ in Hebrews 9:14?

In verse 9 Peter makes the statement that those who are called are to “proclaim the excellencies” of God. How does this fit with Hebrews 9:14 saying with a conscience made perfect we are ready to serve the Living God?

How does verse 10 fit with the picture painted by Hebrews 9:1-14 of the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant?

It’s only when we understand the burden of the law and everything associated with the Tabernacle and the sacrifices of the priesthood that we realize what Scripture is stating when it classifies those things as copies and shadows. To be sure God authored them all. God’s Law is perfect. The Tabernacle and the priesthood clearly pointed to Jesus for anyone who had eyes to see.

But the Law couldn’t save anyone. Working tirelessly sacrificing bulls and lambs and goats, in the end, couldn’t atone for sin. In order for sinful mankind to live in glory with their Holy God they would need a Priest of a higher order. They would need a once-for-all sacrifice that somehow satisfied the Law.

What God established with Moses and Israel on Mt. Sinai would need to fade, as shadows do, when a great Light comes on the scene. The heavy burden that the shadows imposed, causing the people to pretend they could keep their rigorous demands, must be replaced with better promises. The Law would need to be fulfilled; the Priesthood and sacrificial system brought to completion.

As the author of Hebrews states it, “as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.  For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.” Jesus is the Light that took away the shadows. Jesus, our High Priest, fulfilled the requirements of the Law and became the sacrifice that atoned for sin for all who believe.

For the believer, law keeping is no longer a burden of duty but a life passion of love. Worship is no longer standing in the Temple court watching the High Priest working tirelessly but walking all over this world in a joy flowing from our Great High Priest.

HOMEWORK:

Read Galatians 5:1-6

Paul states that “for freedom Christ has set us free.” (Verse 1) So, Christ Jesus set us free for the sake of freedom. He set us free from slavery to sin. He set us free from the heavy yoke of the Law.

How does Paul warn anyone who is considering going back to the law of circumcision? (Verse 2)

If you are being justified by trying to keep the law what is your relationship to Christ? (Verse 4)

How does faith working through love manifest itself in our lives? (Verse 5-6)