Hebrews 9

We pick up our Chapter Memory Study in Hebrews 9 this week. To review, the goal of this study is to systematically go through the Bible, chapter by chapter, in order to study, outline and memorize the key concepts of each chapter. I use the English Standard Version (ESV) most of the time, and tend to follow the pericope divisions (sub-titles within each chapter) as marked by the ESV. Hebrews seems to be dividing nicely into about 2 sections per chapter. The outline of Hebrews is based on the acronym "SON IS MEDIATOR"; of which I assign each chapter to the corresponding letter in the outline theme. We are on chapter 9, so that brings us to the "I" of MEDIATOR this week.

The outline for Hebrews 9 is:

• Impermanent place of holiness (1-10)
  
• Irrevocable blood of Christ (11-28)
  

The memory passages are chosen from each section and, if at all possible, contain key words and themes from that section.

• Impermanent place of holiness
  Hebrews 9:1 (ESV)
  1Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness.
  
  
• Irrevocable blood of Christ
  Hebrews 9:14-15 (ESV)
  14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
  
  

(note: the colors correspond to the marking system I have in my Bible; blue for theme, green for memory/key passage. Red is then used for repeating words/phrases/concepts, and black is used for general emphasis. I use one of those handy-dandy 4-color bic pens and it works wonderfully. I'll maybe do a post about that sometime)

In the first section (vv1-10; Impermanent place of holiness) the writer describes the tabernacle (1-5) and then the ministry in the tabernacle (6-10). The tabernacle itself was the 'earthly place of holiness' that contained the key symbols of worship and the ark of the covenant. Of further details and contents, the writer could not (and needed not) comment further.

Continuing a review of worship practices and regulations, the writer then describes what happened in the tabernacle. The priests would perform their duties in the first section (the Holy Place), but only the high priest would enter the section (the Most Holy Place). The high priest would take an offering of blood for his own sins and also the sins of the people. The writer adds that this is a symbol of the distance between us and God; the first section separates the people from God. Only the high priest, the mediator, can go through the holy place into the most holy place (setting up the comparison to Jesus and His ministry). While the offering of blood was required under these regulations, it was only effective in dealing with issues of food, drink, washings, and regulations for the body (externals); it was not able to perfect the conscience.

The second main section (Irrevocable blood of Christ, vv10-28) contains 11 occurrences of the word 'blood'. (note: if at all possible, I try to include any major repetitions in the theme title. The overall theme is the blood of Christ, but I will remember that 'blood' is a repeated word/theme). The writer sets up the contrast immediately; 'but when Christ appeared as a high priest' (11). Christ's ministry was not in a temporary earthly tent, but in the 'greater and more perfect tent'; the heavenly presence of God. Christ's sacrifice of blood did not need to be repeated year after year; it was given once for all (12, 16, 7:27, 10:10) and secured eternal redemption.

In verses 13-15, the writer summarizes the whole argument; if the old sacrifice of animals' blood was effective to purify the flesh, how much more can the blood of Christ do? He offered Himself, the perfect Lamb of God, to God for the purity of our conscience. He is the eternal Mediator of this new covenant and the Guarantor of the eternal inheritance for those who are called. While both covenants required the shedding of blood, only the shed blood of Christ is effective to purify our conscience and ensure eternal redemption.

Here again we come across the title 'Mediator'. For definition, I'll defer to bigger brains:

The word “mediator” is the translation of mesites which refers to one who intervenes between two, to make or restore peace and friendship, to form a compact, or to ratify a covenant. Here the Messiah acts as a go-between or mediator between a holy God and sinful man. By His death on the cross, He removes the obstacle (sin) which caused an estrangement between man and God. When the sinner accepts the merits of Messiah’s sacrifice, the guilt and penalty of his sin is his no more, the power of sin in his life is broken, he becomes the recipient of the divine nature, and the estrangement between himself and God, both legal and personal, disappears. (Kenneth S. Wuest, Hebrews in the Greek New Testament, p. 162, 163)

The writer then briefly discusses the metaphor of a will. The will is only put into effect when the one who made the will dies. Christ's death puts into force the inheritance of the beneficiaries (those who believe) so that they might receive the benefits of the covenant (will). Even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood (with which Moses purified the book and the people) because the shedding of blood was necessary for forgiveness. In the Old Testament, the 'copies of the heavenly things' were purified with blood; through Christ, the heavenly things themselves are purified with His blood.

Christ's ministry was not in the earthly, hand-made tabernacle (the copies), but in heaven before God the Father Himself (24). His sacrifice did not need to be offered repeatedly, but once for all ages (25-26). Christ will appear again, having died and rose again, to save to Himself those who are eagerly waiting for Him (27-28).

How does this affect my worship?
I have no context or concept of tabernacle worship. I have seen the demonstrations and even a life-size model; but I have no idea what it must have been like. I only know worship within the omnipresence of God; He is ever-present and always within me. Sometimes my personality leans toward a more legal, outlined interaction with God. "This is what you need to do, this is how you meet with God, these are the rules you need to follow." Jesus made it clear in John 4 that worship is not limited to location. God is Spirit, and we worship Him in spirit and truth; wherever, whenever, with everything. And yet my heart longs to meet with God. To sit before Him. To honor Him. He is drawing near to us (indeed, drawing us near), and we are to draw near to Him (because we can also go the other direction). But worship in spirit, truth, word and deed must be approached as an encounter. Meet with Him. Walk with him. Worship Him. Hear from Him. Follow Him.

How does this affect my discipleship?
As quickly as I tend to impose rules on myself, I am certain that tendency bleeds into my disciple-making. "In order to 'look like' a mature believer, these are the steps you need to take and this is the language you need to speak". First of all, I don't know how to discern growth and maturity in anyone outside the context of a relationship. When you walk with someone for a year, two years, or more, you see their life and growth right in front of you. They may not look like you or talk like you (thankfully) but they should start reflecting more of Jesus. Again and always; disciple-makers must not focus on making disciples of themselves but disciples of Christ.

under His blood, and by His grace,

Ethan