Hebrews 9

Under the old covenant, God said that the animals sacrificed had to be unblemished. Now under the new covenant, Jesus Christ Himself is the sinless, unblemished sacrifice.

15 Through Christ’s death, believers have been set free from their former sins; they have been forgiven. Because Christ has died, He has become the mediator of a new covenant, through which we who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. That “eternal inheritance” is forgiveness of sins, salvation, eternal life (see Hebrews 7:27; 8:6 and comments). The old covenant could not set men free from sin. Now through Jesus’ death, we have been set free (see Romans 8:1-2).

16-17 In order for a will¹⁶ to go into effect, the person who made the will has to die. In the same way, it was only after Christ’s death that the new “will” or covenant could go into effect.

18-20 For the old “will” or covenant to go into effect, there also had to be death—the death of an animal (see Exodus 24:8).

The scarlet wool and branches of hyssop¹⁷ mentioned in verse 19 are also mentioned in Numbers 19:6.

21-22 Only by shedding blood could the Jewish high priest make atonement for his own sins and the sins of the people. Thus God had instructed that everything inside the tabernacle be sprinkled with blood (see Leviticus 16:14-16,18-19).

In the same way, under the new covenant, men can receive forgiveness only through the shedding of blood. That is why Christ had to shed His own blood and die in order to cleanse us from sins.

23 The copies of the heavenly things— that is, the earthly tabernacle—were purified with these (animal) sacrifices. But the heavenly tabernacle has been purified with better sacrifices—namely, Christ Himself.

In one way, we believers are this heavenly tabernacle (see Ephesians 2:22; 1 Peter 2:5). We too, being God’s dwelling place, must be purified with better sacrifices. And indeed, we have been purified by Christ’s perfect sacrifice. We have been set free from sin; we have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).

24 Here the writer repeats the thoughts of Hebrews 8:1-2.

25-26 Christ’s sacrifice never needs to be repeated. Through His death, Christ has once for all atoned for our sins (verse 26).

27-28 A man dies only once; therefore, it is impossible for Christ to be sacrificed again and again. His one-time sacrifice is sufficient to take away the sins of many people (see John 1:29 and comment).

Man’s death is followed by judgment. Jesus’ death is followed, not by judgment, but by eternal salvation for all who are waiting for him—that is, all believers. Jesus will come again. On that day we shall obtain our full inheritance in heaven, which He has promised to us. Therefore, let us not grow weary, but let us continue to persevere with patience and faith (see Hebrews 6:12).