Ezekiel 16, Hebrews 9: 1-15, Proverbs 13: 20-25, Proverbs 14: 1-4
Hebrews 9: 13-15 (ESV)
“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. 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.”
Verses 13 through 15 from Hebrews 9 gives us a comparison of
the blood and sacrifice of animals that were part of the Old Covenant to the blood
and sacrifice of Jesus Christ with his death on the cross. The blood of animals
were used in the temple as part of the Old Covenant for the purification of the
flesh. The blood of Christ purifies our whole life so we can serve God. Jesus
Christ offers us a new covenant so people who have faith in him will receive
the benefits of the Old Covenant. Belief in Christ also and redeems us from any
sins committed under the original first Covenant.
I like how the writer
of Hebrews compared the death of Christ to sacrificial rites of animal that
were part of the Old Covenant. The death of Christ freed us from having to sacrifice
animals to redeem ourselves. Many say the death of Jesus Christ is an upfront sacrifice
that cleanses and redeems all people from sin for now and for all time. The people
who followed the Old Covenant had to constantly offer sacrifice to atone for
their sins. The death of Christ freed us from having to offer sacrifices, and
gave us instead a loving father who wants us repent for our sins and who will
always take us back with loving arms.
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