ESOCS Devotional 23 May 2024 – The Superiority of His Blood
MEMORY VERSE: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12 KJV
TEXT: HEBREWS 9:1-15
Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
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? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
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Man lost his divine glory in Eden due to sin (Genesis 3). However, God in His infinite mercy introduced the ancient sacrificial system to Israel through the physical tabernacle for cleansing of sins (Exodus 38). The insufficiency and inadequacies of attendant ceremonial events, employing the blood of animals were evident. But the narrative changed following the revelation of the gospel of grace and truth through Christ Jesus (John 1:14, 17).
The blood of animals shed in the Old Testament sacrificial system, represents death as punishment for sin. This is an indication of the principle that without the shedding of blood, there is no cleansing or forgiveness of sins. These ancient sacrifices point to the blood of Christ. They represent His death on the cross as a penalty for sin. Through Christ’s atoning blood presented to the Father in heaven, He obtained forgiveness for us. This also ushered release from bondage, atonement for sins, sanctification, justification and all-round victory. Hallelujah!
It follows therefore that every good thing available to man came with and through Jesus Christ. He was manifested as a greater and more perfect tabernacle. He introduced a spiritual tabernacle, as distinct from the ancient physical tabernacle.
Moreover, the Church, which is a universal community of believers, was introduced by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 8:1, 2). Jesus’ advent on planet Earth, introduced the universal and eternal high priesthood. So, He functions as a High Priest forever on behalf of the universal Church, a priesthood after the Order of Melchisedec, (Hebrews Chapter 7). The sacrifice of His blood offering does not only propitiate or cover sin, it eradicates both sin and its effect forever (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:1-9).
As opposed to the blood of animals, He offered His own incarnate blood for the complete remission of human sins (Isaiah 53:12; Ephesians 1:7). Also, in contrast to the yearly offering of animal sacrifices under the Old Testament law, His sacrifice for sins was made once and for all times. In other words, the effects of the action of redemption by His blood on the cross was for all eternity. Oh, come let us adore Him. He is Christ the Lord, Redeemer, and the King of kings.
- The blood of animals covered sins for a year. But Christ’s blood has eradicated the effect of sin forever. Do you believe?
- Lord Jesus, I will worship you forever.
Further Reading: Exodus 12:28-51; Ezekiel 1:1-14; Mark 6:7-12
ESOCS Devotional 23 May 2024
