Hebrews: The Daily Discipline of a Devoted LifeSample

A picture says 1,000 words. The courts and curtains of the Old Testament tabernacle powerfully pictured the barrier between sinful man and a holy God. The closer you came to the Holy of Holies, the more precious the metal used – bronze for the outer courts, gold for the Most Holy Place. 

No one was allowed into the Holy of Holies, except the high priest, once a year, on the Day of Atonement ‘and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins [of] the people’ (v. 7). The high priest would light incense in the Holy Place – before entering through the seven-inch thick curtain into the Holy of Holies – so that the smoke from the incense would prevent him from beholding the throne of God, set in-between the wings of the cherubim. 

What a powerful way of expressing the holiness of God. God wanted to dwell in the midst of his people – the tabernacle was at the centre of the Israelite camp – but only once a year, and following strict regulations, could the high priest dare to set foot in the holiest place of all. How could such a holy God have fellowship with such sinful people? 

‘When Christ came’ (v. 11) are some of the richest words in scripture. Our righteous God/man has entered the holiest place of all in heaven. The earthly tabernacle was just a ‘shadow’ (8:5) teaching us how holy God’s dwelling place in heaven is. Christ is worthy to enter the holiest place because he himself is supremely righteous, meeting all God’s requirements. 

But like the old covenant priests, he does not enter this heavenly sanctuary without blood. The blood he brings is worth more than all the lambs and goats and bulls of the old covenant put together – he enters ‘by means of … his own blood’ (v. 12). Yet he does not have to offer sacrifices for his own sin, but for ours. And as he offers his blood at the mercy seat, through a great ‘once for all’ sacrifice, he secures for us an ‘eternal redemption’ (v. 12), meaning we can approach a holy God with full confidence and boldness. 

This is glorious theology, but it’s also incredibly practical, for ‘the blood of Christ … cleanse[s] our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God’ (v. 14). Our works lead to death because they cannot make up for our sin. But the Son of God, our perfect High Priest, has paid the price for our sin, and now we can serve God with pure hearts and a clear conscience – day after day his blood is cleansing us and making us right with God. 

Reflection

How can you remind yourself of the extent of God’s holiness, and the greatness of Christ’s atonement?