Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. — Hebrews 9:12

Some time ago, my family and I went sightseeing at Miniature World in Victoria, BC, Canada. I decided that the promoters of this tourist attraction gave it an appropriate slogan: “The greatest little show on earth.” We found ourselves captivated by the world’s smallest operational sawmill, the world’s largest dollhouses, an extensive model of the Canadian railway system, and much more.

The objects in the museum look very true to life, except that they are tiny, scaled-down versions of the originals. The appeal of miniatures is in their exquisite detail mimicking the real objects that they represent. However, the tiny models do not function like the originals do. They only provide reference to the scale, proportion, and functions of the reality.

In the same way, when God established the Tabernacle, the sacrificial system, and the priesthood for the Children of Israel, He did not intend for these to be the eternal solution for sin. They were only symbols of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. Though the blood of goats and bulls satisfied the legal requirement, the elaborate ceremonies of worship and sacrifice and the objects used to perform them were mere “miniatures” of the redemptive work of Christ.

By contrast, Jesus became the perfect Sacrifice and shed His own Blood for our salvation. His redemptive Blood is applied to the heart of the sinner, giving both legal and moral victory. Because His Blood purges the conscience, it provides a solution for sin by attacking sin at the root — the heart. Jesus’ sacrificial offering was so complete, so immaculate, and so acceptable to God that He had to offer Himself only once for all generations of mankind. His sacrifice was the ultimate fulfillment of all that the Old Testament sacrifices represented. 

What a privilege is ours to obtain eternal redemption through Christ!

BACKGROUND

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ reached back into the Old Testament period as well as forward to the New Testament dispensation. Christ’s death was a universal atonement that was all comprehensive and all availing. It included the Jews and the Gentiles, and availed for those who lived prior to the time of Christ and those who lived during and after His lifetime on earth. Those who lived in the period of the Law had to mix obedience to the Law with faith that looked ahead to the fulfillment through Jesus Christ, in order for them to be saved and made holy. Obedience alone would not make them holy, any more than obedience to Christ’s commands today will avail without faith. Jesus provided the atonement for the whole world, and extended it over all ages and for all times. 

In Hebrews 9:15, the writer refers to the “new testament.” The word testament is translated in other places as covenant. 

The Old Covenant, which is recorded in Exodus 24:3-8, was provided as a means of atoning for sin. In the Old Covenant, four distinct entities were involved: the Tabernacle, where the presence of God dwelt; the sinner, who had a mortal need to approach God; the blood of an unblemished animal, sacrificed to grant the sinner pardon; and the high priest, who performed the sacrifice. This provision for sin was established so that man would not die in sin and be lost eternally. God made it as a symbol of the reality to come in the offering of Jesus.

The New Covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In this covenant, too, four entities are involved. In the New Covenant, the Tabernacle’s location is Heaven, where God dwells — a perfect habitation because it is not made with human hands. As under the Old Covenant, the sinner is in a sinful state and in desperate need of an approach to God. In place of the blood of an animal, Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice, shed His own Blood to provide pardon for the sinner. Jesus also permanently fills the role of our High Priest, ever making intercession for us. 

The writer of Hebrews outlined two crucial facts to the Hebrews. First, Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice of God, had been offered. Second, Jesus, the sinless High Priest, had entered the Heavenly Tabernacle and had given everyone the opportunity of personal access to God. His point was clearly indicated: it made no sense to continue under the shadow when the reality had become available!

AMPLIFIED OUTLINE

(Hannah’s Bible Outlines - Used by permission per WORDsearch)
II.   The argument: the preeminence of Christ in His person and work
     D.    The superiority of Christ to Aaron
           7.   Superior because of a better sacrifice
                 a.   The fact of Christ’s superior sacrifice (9:11-12)
                 b.   The results of Christ’s superior sacrifice (9:13-28)
                       (1)   The fact of cleansing (9:13-14)
                       (2)   The basis of the new covenant (9:15-22)
                       (3)   The ministry within a new tabernacle (9:23-28)

A CLOSER LOOK

1. What were the limitations of sacrifices made under the Old Covenant?
   
   
2. Why do you think that God established the sacrificial system for the Children of Israel?
   
   
3. In what ways can we fully appropriate the blessings of the New Covenant into our lives today?

CONCLUSION

With Jesus as our Perfect Sacrifice, we have a perfect solution to sin, for His Blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Because He dwells in the Heavenly Sanctuary of God, we have unlimited access to God through Him. What an incalculable privilege is ours!