Hebrews 9:15-22

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.  For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.   For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.  Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.  For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.”  And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.  Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.  

Death and shedding of blood are the wages of sin.  This was powerfully and repeatedly illustrated throughout the entire old covenant.  The new covenant is somewhat similar but radically different because of Christ.  It is similar in the sense that they both required the shedding of blood.  It is different because the blood of Christ is the permanent payment for sin and allow for us to be set free from sin and all its consequences.

WE INHERIT ETERNAL PROMISES BECAUSE WE ARE REDEEMED BY HIS DEATH: The sin in which we were born left us in a state of eternal condemnation.  The first covenant was powerless to free us from that state.  However, because of the death of Christ the price of sin has been paid and we have been redeemed from our slavery to sin and death.  Not only that, but the purpose behind our redemption was restoration of fellowship with God.  We inherit eternal promises of living in the presence of and in fellowship with God for eternity.  Our willful rebellion against God has been squelched and we are now at peace with God through the redemption we inherit because of the death of Jesus.

WE HAVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS BECAUSE WE HAVE REMISSION BY HIS BLOOD: When Moses established the first covenant, he sprinkled blood on the book of the Law and on the people of God.  This was symbolic of the application of blood on the people to demonstrate the need for death and blood to pay for the sins of the people.  But the blood of goats is not adequate payment for the sins of men.  Jesus, the sinless, Lamb of God shed His blood on the cross to provide forgiveness of our sin.  Without shedding of blood there is not remission of sin, but His blood was shed and through faith in Him we are forgiven.

APPLICATION: Rejoice in the hope of our eternal inheritance in the presence of the Lord.  Live in the freedom from sin that we have by His blood.  Worship the Lord for His amazing sacrifice on our behalf.  Seek to abandon the sin from which His blood bought our forgiveness. 

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