READ: Heb. 9:15-28: … not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters … every year, but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
The letter to the Hebrews highlights the unique significance of Christ’s crucifixion by comparing it to the Old Testament sacrificial system. Verses 24-28 liken Christ’s atoning work to the Day of Atonement. On that day, the high priest offered a sin offering of a goat, sprinkling its blood on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, where the Spirit of God dwelt. A second goat, on which the sins of the people had been placed, was sent away into the wilderness, removing the sins from God’s presence.
All the sins of the people for that year had to be atoned for in this manner, including sins not explicitly known, even the sins of the high priest. This had to be repeated every year, allowing the sinful people to live with the Holy God among them. The tabernacle and temple were a foreshadowing and representation of the sanctuary in heaven, where God’s throne is (v.24). In heaven, God dwells in unapproachable light. He is so exalted that He cannot tolerate darkness or sin.
Hebrews then discusses Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice. He presented His one offering on Good Friday and appeared before God Himself with it. In God’s eyes, this blood was a sufficient payment and a complete atonement for all our sins. Through this blood, the sins that stood between us and God were definitively paid for and abolished, erased from God’s sight. They no longer exist, and they no longer stand between us and God, because Christ’s single offering meets all the requirements for God’s satisfaction.
Now, there is no need for another high priest to offer sacrifices in an earthly temple. God confirmed this by tearing the veil of the temple from top to bottom on Good Friday. Through Christ’s crucifixion, we can now approach God once more! Even at the final judgment during His second coming, our sins are gone, and there is only salvation (vv.27,28). What a comfort for all who believe in Him as their only Savior!
What is the meaning of the comparison to the Day of Atonement?
Singing: Hymn 21:7