Hebrews 9:23-28

Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.  For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.  Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Repetition is a vital aspect of instruction as it is vital to learning.  All the concepts in this passage have been discussed before but are summarized again here with a little different wording.  This demonstrates the importance of these truths about the superiority of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.  We must always beware of that which would try to take the place of Jesus as the object of our trust and worship.  He is to be the only object of our faith and our hope.

JESUS OFFERED HIS SACRIFICE IN A BETTER PLACE: The objects used for the sacrifices in the tabernacle and temple were simply copies or representations of the genuine objects in the heavens.  The ministry of Christ takes place in heaven where Christ has entered the very presence of God to intercede on our behalf concerning sin and our redemption from it.  The tabernacle was just a picture of that holy place, but it was made with the hands of sinful men and the priests in the tabernacle had to consecrate it and the objects that were in it.  None of that is necessary for Jesus because His ministry is in the throne room of heaven.

JESUS OFFERED HIS SACRIFICE AS A BETTER PAYMENT: The sacrifices offered by the priests were numerous.  There were daily sacrifices but there was also the annual sacrifice that took place on the Day of Atonement in the holy of holies.  This was the most significant sacrifice and was made in the most holy place on earth.  However, it had to be made every year.  The priest would offer the blood of a lamb on the altar of the covenant.  Jesus did not offer the blood of another; He offered His own blood as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  His blood was shed once for all and His sacrifice is the ultimate payment that redeems us from sin.

JESUS OFFERED HIS SACRIFICE FOR A BETTER PURPOSE: The sacrifices made in the tabernacle and temple would simply put a covering on sin that temporarily appeased the wrath of God towards sin.  The sacrifice of Jesus was permanent payment for the sins of men.  It was a putting away of sin that was done once for all.  It has been appointed for man to die once and then face the judgment.  Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh so that He might die once and be judged on our behalf.  He rose from the dead as a demonstration that His sacrifice was sufficient and complete.  Jesus will come again, but sin has already been delt with, so His return will be to receive into His presence all who have believed upon Him.

APPLICATION: Pray with confidence, knowing that we are represented in the heavens by the Lord Jesus Christ.  Recognize the glory of the sacrifice that Jesus made with His own blood on our behalf.  Praise and worship the Lord with gratitude for His unspeakable sacrifice.  Place your faith exclusively in Him and His death and resurrection as our only hope for salvation.  Wait expectantly and joyfully for His return to receive us into His presence.