Hebrews 9:11-14

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.  For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how 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.

Unlike the limitations of the old covenant that was mediated by sinful priests.  The new covenant is limitless and is mediated by the sinless Son of God.  This passage demonstrates the utter superiority of the new covenant.  The author highlights three accomplishments of Jesus through the new covenant.

JESUS ENTERED THE HOLY PLACES PERMANENTLY: The author of Hebrews describes the place Christ ministers as “he greater and more perfect tent.”  That is certainly a euphemism for the throne room of heaven.  This “temple” was not made by human hands and is above all creation.  The point is that it is ridiculous to hold onto the old tabernacle when Jesus, our High Priest ministers in such a superior place.  But He also ministers in a superior way.  The priests in Israel would only enter the holy of holies once a year and then only after offering tons of sacrifices for his own sin and the sins of the people.  Jesus entered the throne room of heaven permanently on the basis of the shedding of His own blood.  Why would anyone ever want to go back to the old way?

JESUS SECURED OUR REDEMPTION ETERNALY: The sacrifices of sheep, goats, and calves were only temporary coverings of sin that had to be offered in endless repetition.  They were only a picture of the sacrifice of Christ to come.  When Jesus poured out His innocent blood on the cross, He provided the permanent sacrifice that washes away the sin of the world.  He purchased us from our slavery to sin and death with His own blood.  The Father proved that He accepted His sacrifice on our behalf by raising Him from the dead and placing Him at His own right hand.  We can be eternally free from our sin and all its consequences by simply placing our faith exclusively on the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.  Jesus secured our eternal redemption is a truth that should thrill our hearts beyond any other joy.

JESUS PURIFIED OUR CONSCINCE COMPLETELY: The priests would take the ashes of a sacrificed heifer and wave them before the people as a symbol of purifying them from sin.  The reality is that this ritual did nothing to change them fundamentally.  The blood of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit makes that fundamental change to our hearts.  He not only offers a purification that is “skin deep” He goes as deep as our very conscience and transforms us in every way.  That is the promise of the Gospel!  We will have pure consciences because we will stop sinning forever.  That is what our Lord offers us through the shedding of His blood on our behalf.  Why would anyone ever go back?  

APPLICATION: Worship the Lord Jesus Christ who has been exalted to the throne room of heaven.  Trust in Christ alone to provide us with eternal redemption from sin.  Proclaim this glorious truth for all to hear.  Take hope in our future glorification.  Live now in faith, love and obedience as a present demonstration of our eternal hope.