Part 4: Hebrews 9: 11-14

11 But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), 12he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14how 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 worship the living God!

If you didn’t see last week’s installment, you might want to check out the posting on Hebrews about the role of Jesus Christ as High Priest in the line of Melchizadek.

It is important to remember that the author sets Jesus within the framework of the Jewish faith, not in opposition to it. There are 2 main traditions where Christ brings new life as high priest:
1. Regulations for worship
2. Site of worship

The author suggests that Christ the high priest fulfills once and for all the tradition of blood sacrifice by offering his own life on the cross. He also does this not in the physical tent or ark of the Jerusalem temple, but in the greater and perfect tent of God’s kingdom. The readers would have understood the similarities between the cross of Jesus and the Day of Atonement rituals.

Question for Reflection:
How do you understand your own mistakes and weaknesses, after hearing the affirmation that Christ has already, once and for all, purified our conscience?