Hebrews:9

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* Verse 1-5 - The apostle shows to the Hebrews the typical reference of their ceremonies to Christ . The tabernacle was a movable temple , shadowing forth the unsettled state of the church upon earth , and the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ , in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily . The typical meaning of these things has been shown in former remarks , and the ordinances and articles of the Mosaic covenant point out Christ as our Light , and as the Bread of life to our souls ; and remind us of his Divine Person , his holy priesthood , perfect righteousness , and all-prevailing intercession . Thus was the Lord Jesus Christ , all and in all , from the beginning . And as interpreted by the gospel , these things are a glorious representation of the wisdom of God , and confirm faith in Him who was prefigured by them . * Verse 6-10 - The apostle goes on to speak of the Old Testament services . Christ , having undertaken to be our High Priest , could not enter into heaven till he had shed his blood for us ; and none of us can enter , either into God 's gracious presence here , or his glorious presence hereafter , but by the blood of Jesus . Sins are errors , great errors , both in judgment and practice ; and who can understand all his errors ? They leave guilt upon the conscience , not to be washed away but by the blood of Christ . We must plead this blood on earth , while he is pleading it for us in heaven . A few believers , under the Divine teaching , saw something of the way of access to God , of communion with him , and of admission into heaven through the promised Redeemer , but the Israelites in general looked no further than the outward forms . These could not take away the defilement or dominion of sin . They could neither discharge the debts , nor resolve the doubts , of him who did the service . Gospel times are , and should be , times of reformation , of clearer light as to all things needful to be known , and of greater love , causing us to bear ill-will to none , but good-will to all . We have greater freedom , both of spirit and speech , in the gospel , and greater obligations to a more holy living . * Verse 11-14 - All good things past , present , and to come , were and are founded upon the priestly office of Christ , and come to us from thence . Our High Priest entered into heaven once for all , and has obtained eternal redemption . The Holy Ghost further signified and showed that the Old Testament sacrifices only freed the outward man from ceremonial uncleanness , and fitted him for some outward privileges . What gave such power to the blood of Christ ? It was Christ 's offering himself without any sinful stain in his nature or life . This cleanses the most guilty conscience from dead , or deadly , works to serve the living God ; from sinful works , such as pollute the soul , as dead bodies did the persons of the Jews who touched them ; while the grace that seals pardon , new-creates the polluted soul . Nothing more destroys the faith of the gospel , than by any means to weaken the direct power of the blood of Christ . The depth of the mystery of the sacrifice of Christ , we cannot dive into , the height we cannot comprehend . We cannot search out the greatness of it , or the wisdom , the love , the grace that is in it . But in considering the sacrifice of Christ , faith finds life , food , and refreshment . * Verse 15-22 - The solemn transactions between God and man , are sometimes called a covenant , here a testament , which is a willing deed of a person , bestowing legacies on such persons as are described , and it only takes effect upon his death . Thus Christ died , not only to obtain the blessings of salvation for us , but to give power to the disposal of them . All , by sin , were become guilty before God , had forfeited every thing that is good ; but God , willing to show the greatness of his mercy , proclaimed a covenant of grace . Nothing could be clean to a sinner , not even his religious duties ; except as his guilt was done away by the death of a sacrifice , of value sufficient for that end , and unless he continually depended upon it . May we ascribe all real good works to the same all-procuring cause , and offer our spiritual sacrifices as sprinkled with Christ 's blood , and so purified from their defilement . * Verse 23-28 - It is evident that the sacrifices of Christ are infinitely better than those of the law , which could neither procure pardon for sin , nor impart power against it . Sin would still have been upon us , and have had dominion over us ; but Jesus Christ , by one sacrifice , has destroyed the works of the devil , that believers may be made righteous , holy , and happy . As no wisdom , learning , virtue , wealth , or power , can keep one of the human race from death , so nothing can deliver a sinner from being condemned at the day of judgment , except the atoning sacrifice of Christ ; nor will one be saved from eternal punishment who despises or neglects this great salvation . The believer knows that his Redeemer liveth , and that he shall see him . Here is the faith and patience of the church , of all sincere believers . Hence is their continual prayer as the fruit and expression of their faith , Even so come , Lord Jesus . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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