HEBREWS 9:11-15; 22-28
11 But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?
15 Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant…..22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God for us. 25 He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. 26 Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
HEAR:
Priests did the literal work of intercession - making sacrifices for the people. But it was never enough! Jesus did the eternal work of intercession - shedding perfect blood once and for all. That’s why we gather, why we worship, why we pray with expectation to the Perfect Intercessor!
Remind yourself of the first time you encountered the forgiveness of Jesus (22). Remember all that God has done.
Reflect on the new covenant of Jesus’ blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.
Where are you trying to earn what Jesus has already accomplished (15)?
RESPOND:
Intercede on behalf of those who have not received salvation in Jesus (28).
Praise God for his blood that has brought us near the Father (24).
Ask God to raise up followers in this city who fully serve the living God (14).
