Our Perfect Wait
In chapter 9 of Hebrews, we’ve been understanding the promise of better sacrifice that comes with the new covenant. The author is imploring his readers who believe to hold fast in their beliefs despite their adversities. And he’s urging those who don’t believe to have a change of heart for the sake of their own salvation. He’s telling them that Jesus is the only sacrifice that does away with sin and the old covenant ways are no longer sufficient.
Chapter 9 concludes with the author repeating a lot of what he said earlier in the chapter. . The reason for the repetition is twofold. Repetition is a good strategy for teaching. The message in this passage and the whole book of Hebrews is so important to the readers that the author backs up, justifies and rephrases the message to ensure it has maximum effect. That and in the case of chapter 9, he repeats to back up his conclusion, which is what the better sacrifice means to us.
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 9:24-28 ESV 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. (25) Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, (26) 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. (27) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, (28) 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.
Bible Study Questions
One could surmise that the tabernacle form of sacrifice for the atonement of sin made room for imperfect sacrifices. Why is this? (Hebrews 9:13-14; 9:24)
Why did Jesus not have to offer Himself as a sacrifice repeatedly, as the Israelites had to do with their animal offerings? (Hebrews 9:25) (1 Corinthians 5:7)
In your understanding, what is the difference between the covering of sin, and putting away sin? (Hebrews 9:25) (Titus 2:14)
Verse 27 says that it is appointed that we should die once. What impact should this have on the way we live our lives? (Hebrews 9:27) (Mark 13:34-36)
What reasons do we have to not be afraid of judgement? (Hebrews 9:27) (John 5:24)
How do you interpret the final verse, where the author speaks of those who are eagerly awaiting him? (Hebrews 9: 28)
Considering your study and the answers to the above questions, take a moment to think about or discuss how you feel about the return of Jesus.
Prayer
Father, thank you that Jesus entered into Heaven, to be with you. Thank you that He is with you now, interceding on our behalf, when we ourselves don’t know how to pray. Thank you that Jesus will return to us, to judge us for the way we live our lives and what we choose to do with your gift of salvation. Thank you that through the sacrifice of Son, you put away sin forever, so that we no longer have to try and cover it up with our imperfect means. Please help us at all times to be ever conscious of our mortality and what this means to the way we live our lives. Help us to gain perspective on our lives, to understand that no matter what our circumstances, we can look forward and await your return with joy and elation. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.
Worship
Breathe on me, breath of God:
fill me with life anew,
that I may love as you have loved
and do as you would do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God;
fulfil my heart's desire,
until this earthly part of me
glows with your heavenly fire.
Breathe on me, breath of God;
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
of your eternity.
Service
In chapter 9, we’ve seen how God frames the time between Christ entering into Heaven and returning to us. This life is a waiting game, and even if it’s difficult at times, we can look forward to Christ’s return with bated breath. If you know someone who is waiting for something and the wait is a difficult one, share this message with them and explain what it means to you. Pray with that person and ask God to draw them near at this time.