JESUS -The Way Into the Holiest of All - Studies in the Book of Hebrews #5

Text: Hebrews 9&10

As the Olympics are around the corner and many eyes from around the globe will be tuned in to the heroics and defeats of athletes who are attempting to fulfill their lifelong dream, we are reminded of the athletes' goal in the games.
In the 1992 Olympics a man by the name of Derek Redmond was representing Britain in the 400 meters. While probably not expected to win the gold, he was in the semifinals and then disaster struck. With about 250 meters to go, he fell. A Hamstring muscle in his right leg ripped, this gifted athlete was done and there was no outlook for glory in this Olympics.
If you know the story you know how he valiantly tried to get up and hobble towards the finish. All of a sudden his father came down from the stands went on to the track and told his son "you don't have to do this, you've got nothing to prove." His son told him he had to find a way to finish. The father then said, "Well, we've started everything together. We'll finish this together." Five minutes later, Derek Redmond finished the race.1

Another story that was related to me by my father a few years ago was the story of an Olympic marathon runner who like Redmond finished so long behind that nobody was left watching and he was asked why he continued, "I came all across the world not to start, but to finish."

The book of Hebrews is written to encourage Christians who have started on the journey of their dreams to not go all this distance and then not finish. Yes, there are hard times. Yes, the road at times seems long and difficult, but your Father will help you cross.

We have seen the writer so far describe for us the reason to follow Jesus.
He is God's spokesman today who through death has brought us a wonderful salvation (ch.1&2).
He is the Apostle of our faith and great High Priest who offers us eternal rest if we follow and trust him (ch.3&4).
Then as our High Priest is working on our behalf we can be sure of our salvation (ch.5&6).
Finally, as we saw last month, the new covenant has replaced the old, and now this better covenant allows our High Priest to save to the uttermost. (ch.7&8).

Today we are going to see a two-fold message about Jesus and the new covenant from chapters 9 &10. Basically, these chapters bring out two great teachings of Jesus from the Gospels and highlights them:

Matthew 10:22- he who endures to the end will be saved!
As the Olympic runner, it is not enough to start well, but one must end!

Matthew 12:6- Jesus said, one greater than the temple is here!
Picking up on his previous discussion in comparing the Old and New covenants. The Hebrew writer is going to tell us some more concrete information on why the old covenant is not the covenant to guide God's people today. It was never meant to be a permanent guide.

9:1-10- First of all, there is no question that the first covenant had divine services.
However look at the nature of the sanctuary- earthly (vs.1) He goes on to describe the building of it and then in verse 3 tells us that behind the second veil was the Holiest of All!
(Remember, Jesus said one greater than the temple is here). Jumping down to verse 7 you find out that only the High Priest could go, only once a year and not without blood.
Why did he go?
For sins, his own his family's and the nations!
What does this mean?
Vs.8- The Holy Spirit showed us through this that the pathway into the Holiest of All was not yet known! So, in the Old Testament the people could not come directly to God!

Vs.11-17- Christ changed all of that!
Vs.11,12- Jesus came as High Priest and entered the real Most Holy Place of All!
Notice, with Jesus a different tabernacle was entered than the Old Testament Priest's!
He too had to enter with blood, but instead of the blood of bulls and goats, it was his own blood!
With Jesus a different sacrifice took place! In comparing the two covenants, there really is no comparison!
Matt.27:51- the veil was torn in two.
What was God signifying?
That the entrance to the Holiest of All- His presence was now available to all through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
Is Jesus that much better than Moses?
Yes indeed, why?
We'll get to that. What should this do to us? (vs.14) - our conscience should be purged from dead works to serve the living God!
Because Jesus died for us, we should now turn towards the Father.
How could this new covenant or testament be brought into effect?
Vs.15-17- there had to be a death. Colossians 2:14- when Jesus Christ died on the cross he took the old law and nailed it to the cross.

Vs.18-28- The writer now tells us that there always had to be blood.
Why?
Vs.22- without shedding of blood, there could be no remission of sins.
Since the old law was just a shadow or copy of the new covenant, the New had to be purified with a better sacrifice.
What was that sacrifice?
Jesus Christ.
Where did Christ go?
Vs.24- into heaven itself.
Why did he do this sacrifice?
Vs.26- to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Since Christ died once for the sins of many, there is a new hope for those who belong to him:
vs.28- for those who eagerly wait for him- 2 Tim.4:8.

10:1-10- Under the law, no matter how many sacrifices were made, those sacrifices themselves could not take sins away (vs.4). What is amazing then, for sins to be taken away, a blood sacrifice of a much higher quality had to be made.
How was it going to be done?
Voluntarily! Vs.9,10- Jesus volunteered to do this sacrifice and he accomplished the will of God to do such - Luke 22:42.

10:11-18- while the Old time priests offered continually, vs.12-14- this one offered one sacrifice and then sat down at the right hand of God. The beauty of this sacrifice is it perfects those who follow him!
We don't need a yearly sacrifice; we only need the one!
What does that mean for us?
Vs.17,18- once a sin is forgiven it is forgiven!
Listen, we don't offer atonement sacrifices to God anymore, in fact we could not do such, God gave us the sacrifice and we live because of it!

10:19-25- so what?
Why all this talk about a new covenant with a new sacrifice and his entrance into heaven?
Remember, one greater than the temple was found in Jesus Christ:
while the old system was in tact, only the High Priest could enter the Holiest of All and only once a year. Now, listen- vs.19,20- we can enter the Holiest of All with boldness.
Amazing, I can enter the presence of God!
How?
Only by the blood, and the veil is his flesh!
So what?

Let us draw near with a true heart & full assurance of faith (vs.22, Romans 6:1-4).

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope (vs.23).

Let us consider one another to stir up love and good works (vs.25).
My friends stay to the end with Jesus, don't give up. Just because there is not light visible at the end of such a long and dark tunnel doesn't mean there is no end!
Jesus has shed his blood on man's behalf. He has entered into the presence of God. We now can enter there as well. Sins will be forgiven, hearts will be assured and love will be experienced. Keep on keeping on!

10:26-31- don't go backward. Don't give up the fight.
Why?
- Only a fearful expectation awaits (vss.27), you count the blood of Jesus a common thing (vs.29) & it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (vs.31).

10:32-39- the reward of keeping on!
Yes, there are struggles, but it is worth it in the end.
Vs.35- don't cast away that confidence.
Vs.36- endure to the end.
Vs.39- you will see salvation.

My friends, there is reason to rejoice today and look forward because when we look at the past and come to Calvary's mount, we see the shadow of the Old Rugged Cross, the cross on which the pathway into God's presence was made open.
Do you want that?
I hope you do, Jesus says to enter into the Divine presence you must do the Father's will (Matthew 7:21-23)
What does the Father want you to do?
Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38- why delay, will you not come?

1. Adapted from Rubel Shelly, The Names of Jesus, (West Monroe, LA: Howard Publishing Co., Inc., 1999) p.131,132.

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