Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:1-14 Page 850

1 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-- external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 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, so that we may serve the living God!

This text teaches us several key ideas

First, (v8) it was the Holy Spirit who was at work in all these ceremonies.

8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

Second, even though these ceremonies were effective at the time, they were an illustration for our time.

9 This is an illustration for the present time,

Third, the ceremonies of the Old Testament were to apply only until the time of the New Order.

10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-- external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

Even though we observe these days and learn from the illustration as God intended, we are people of the new order.

Fourth, the work of Jesus is compared to the blood of animals.

12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Fifth, having been cleansed, we are to serve the living God!

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, so that we may serve the living God!

God wants us to think about three things

First, God used the Day of Atonement to teach there is such a thing as objective sin. There were real sins that had been committed that needed to be resolved. There are two things about this.

Sin involved everyone, including the High Priest. He had to offer sacrifices for his own sin. This seems healthy. It is why every service begins with a prayer asking forgiveness. It sets a tone of humility when we come to God. We all need God’s mercy and forgiveness, especially those who think they don’t!

I use the term objective to separate it from ourselves. Sin is more than just hurting someone you love, although it often is that as well. It might not involve “hurting” anyone, but it can still be sin. The reality of the sin is not based on personal opinion any more than I can influence whether or not the sun comes up. It will come up. By the way, the philosopher who wondered whether or not an unobserved tree, falling in the forest, made a sound, had way too much time on his hands. The answer is yes, it did. Sin is sin. It has an objective reality that only needs to be observed by God and he is always there when the tree falls, so yes, it is sin.

Second, God wanted us to know that only blood covers sins. Time does not cover sin. Doing so many good deeds to make up for doing wrong does not cover sin.

Third, sin always produces death. It produces death in the one who sins. It destroys and ruins. Virtually every one of us can point to areas in our life that have been lost to sin. Maybe you came to Christ only lately. You have all that wasted time when you were just living for yourself. If you served Christ for a while, and then fell away, you have all those missed opportunities to do good. Some can measure it in their finances. Others in their family situation. Maybe some even ruined their health through their sin.

The Day of Atonement illustrates two spiritual concepts. First, what Jesus has done for us by way of forgiving our sins. Second, what Jubilee illustrates about the work of Jesus in restoration.

Every 50^th year was a year of Jubilee. That year, starting on the Day of Atonement, liberty was declared: Lev 25:10 “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan.” Debts were cancelled and liberty proclaimed. Those words are inscribed on the Liberty Bell that hangs in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It is an American political principle as well.

When Jesus began his ministry, he announced a spiritual jubilee. Luke 4:16-19 “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

I believe God not only wants to forgive our sins but restore us as well. He will do that perfectly when he returns. That will be the true Jubilee the law anticipated. Then we will see an end to disease, disaster, and death. Until then I believe we can have it in measure. We can have families that are at peace. We can see miracles take place. We can see lost wealth regained and lost health restored. Even lost years can be made new.

Part of what made the Jubilee a Jubilee is that it was not business as usual. God supplied the needs of the people. It wasn’t the land that provided for them. God did. They honored God and God honored them. They put God first, and God responded by providing all their spiritual and physical needs.

This is what I am asking God to do for you today. First I am asking him to forgive your sins. Then I am asking that he declare a jubilee for you as a person and us as a church.