C+C University District CG Discussion Guide
Text: Hebrews 9:11-23
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 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. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Summary
Hebrews 9:11–23 presents Christ as the true and final high priest who has entered not an earthly tabernacle, but the greater and more perfect heavenly sanctuary. Unlike the old covenant priests who repeatedly entered the Holy Place with the blood of animals, Jesus entered once for all with his own blood and secured an eternal redemption. The sacrificial system could make people outwardly clean and ceremonially fit to approach God, but it could not cleanse the conscience or deal decisively with guilt before a holy God. Christ’s self-offering, through the eternal Spirit and without blemish, fully purifies the conscience from dead works so that believers may truly serve the living God.
The passage also describes Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant. This covenant brings those whom God has called into a promised eternal inheritance. For this covenant to be enacted, a death had to occur, just as a human will only takes effect when the one who made it dies. Christ’s death redeems his people from the transgressions committed under the first covenant and inaugurates a new relational reality with God, one where sins are forgiven and hearts are made new.
Hebrews then looks back to the inauguration of the old covenant to show how pervasive blood was in Israel’s worship. Moses declared the law, then sprinkled the book, the people, the tent, and all the vessels with the blood of calves and goats, declaring, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” Under the law, almost everything was purified with blood, because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Blood represents life, and the shedding of blood signified that a life was given in place of the guilty.
All of these earlier rites, however, dealt only with “copies of the heavenly things.” They pointed forward to a greater reality that required better sacrifices. Christ himself is that better sacrifice and the true mercy seat, the place where God’s wrath is turned away and mercy flows. By his blood, he not only cleanses what is outward, but deals with defilement, guilt, estrangement, and brokenness at the deepest level. He saves to the uttermost, providing cleansing, forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration, and his own righteousness for those who come to God through him.
Key Takeaways
Discussion Questions
Practical Applications
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 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. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Summary
Hebrews 9:11–23 presents Christ as the true and final high priest who has entered not an earthly tabernacle, but the greater and more perfect heavenly sanctuary. Unlike the old covenant priests who repeatedly entered the Holy Place with the blood of animals, Jesus entered once for all with his own blood and secured an eternal redemption. The sacrificial system could make people outwardly clean and ceremonially fit to approach God, but it could not cleanse the conscience or deal decisively with guilt before a holy God. Christ’s self-offering, through the eternal Spirit and without blemish, fully purifies the conscience from dead works so that believers may truly serve the living God.
The passage also describes Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant. This covenant brings those whom God has called into a promised eternal inheritance. For this covenant to be enacted, a death had to occur, just as a human will only takes effect when the one who made it dies. Christ’s death redeems his people from the transgressions committed under the first covenant and inaugurates a new relational reality with God, one where sins are forgiven and hearts are made new.
Hebrews then looks back to the inauguration of the old covenant to show how pervasive blood was in Israel’s worship. Moses declared the law, then sprinkled the book, the people, the tent, and all the vessels with the blood of calves and goats, declaring, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” Under the law, almost everything was purified with blood, because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Blood represents life, and the shedding of blood signified that a life was given in place of the guilty.
All of these earlier rites, however, dealt only with “copies of the heavenly things.” They pointed forward to a greater reality that required better sacrifices. Christ himself is that better sacrifice and the true mercy seat, the place where God’s wrath is turned away and mercy flows. By his blood, he not only cleanses what is outward, but deals with defilement, guilt, estrangement, and brokenness at the deepest level. He saves to the uttermost, providing cleansing, forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration, and his own righteousness for those who come to God through him.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is our High Priest - He intercedes for us before the Father
- Jesus is our Redeemer - He purchased our freedom through His blood
- Jesus is our Sacrifice - He cleanses our conscience from guilt
- Jesus is our Mediator - He brings us into the new covenant
- Jesus gives us His Inheritance - Everything He has is ours
Discussion Questions
- In verses 11–12, what is the significance of Christ entering the “greater and more perfect tent, not made with hands,” instead of the earthly tabernacle?
- What is the "inheritance" in verse 15 that "those who are called may receive"?
- Walk through this passage and compare and contrast the old covenant system with the work of Christ. What do you learn about the old covenant and the work of Jesus?
- In verse 14, what does it mean that Jesus "purifies our conscience from dead works"? Is that something you feel you need right now?
- How would you respond to the question "why couldn't God just forgive us without Jesus dying on the cross?"
- How does understanding Jesus as the "hilasterion" (mercy seat/propitiation) deepen your appreciation for what He accomplished on the cross?
Practical Applications
- Confession & Cleansing - If there is a particular area of sin or guilt that has been weighing on your conscience, confess that to God and to a trusted friend and experience the cleansing promised in 1 John 1:9.
- Combat Lies - The enemy loves to condemn and to keep us from the truth that Jesus saves to the uttermost. Take a journal and write down any condemning thoughts or lies that you believe are coming from the enemy, next to those write biblical truths that remind you of who you are in Christ.
- Share Your Story - Share your testimony with someone who doesn't know Jesus, focusing on how Jesus has cleansed you from sin, forgiven you, and restored you to right relationship with God.