Hebrews 9 Devotional for Sunday August 29th
By Deneen Hanson
Hebrews helps remove the veiled layers of meaning that clothed the Tabernacle & traditions. They all pointed to Jesus. Hebrews as well as Jesus’ own seven “I AM” statements in John reveal the stunning beauty that Jesus IS!
A ‘street level,’ tour guide version of Hebrews 9 might sound something like this:
Welcome to the Tabernacle! Here you see in the first room of the Tabernacle, the lampstand (Hebrews 9:2). It is never extinguished, thus always supplies illumination. It points to Jesus who said about Himself, “I Am the Light of the World” (John 8) – He is eternal and our only true enlightenment.
Also, here in the first room is the table of shewbread (Hebrews 9:2). It is always kept fresh. It also points to Jesus who said about Himself, “I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6) – Jesus is ever-present and our sustenance.
Please notice that there is only one access to both the Holy Place as well as the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 9:2-3). Jesus said about Himself, “I AM the Way, Truth and Life” (John 14). Jesus is the only way unto the Father.
The tour would go on pointing out that “the external regulations only apply until the time of the new order (Hebrews 9:10).
The conclusion of the tour comes at Hebrews 9:11, which speaks of how Christ, our High Priest, did not walk through the earthly Tabernacle but embodied the very Tabernacle principles and fulfilled the law by being both our High Priest as well as a perfect sacrifice: “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”.
We are sanctified (set apart) by His blood and for His purposes (Hebrews 9:14) “…so that we may serve the living God!”
He died and lives that we might live for Him and not die, spiritually (Hebrews 9:14). Jesus said about Himself “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11).
It is hard to take this tour and gaze upon Jesus without finding ourselves as a place of gratitude and awe.
How will you thank Him now and live for Him, “serving the living God” (Hebrews 9:14)?