“Having Obtained Eternal Redemption” (Heb 9:1-22)

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (vs11-12)

The Lord Jesus obtained eternal redemption, satisfied God's justice, and earned the guaranteed salvation of all that the Father gave Him in election and foreknowledge. Here, He is revealed as fulfilling the shadows of the law and accomplishing what the old covenant never could, which is real reconciliation, forgiveness, and inheritance from God.

First, the main point is the gospel, not the details of the old covenant, but the clear revelation of Christ (vs1-4). Of the law, we read, “Of these things we cannot now speak in detail”. Don't be distracted from Him. Little things in life don't matter.  He matters only.

Secondly, reformation, or straightening things out, was mandatory because the law couldn't remove sin (vs6-10). It was, “concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation”. It pictured a time coming, when Jesus would fulfill the symbols and reconcile sinners to God.  The old covenant's impotence necessitated the new.

Thirdly, blood redemption makes us serve God in the power of forgiveness (vs11-15). We read, “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  We see God's love by the Spirit who gives fruitful knowledge, causing us to love God and His people.  When love abates, the sinner is unforgiven, not walking by faith in redemption, and thereby powerless to do good. 

Don't despair.  Look honestly at Calvary, confessing your sins, and receive reconciliation.  It comes with love, power, and zeal (1 Tim 1:14).

Finally, death is how testaments are enforced, so death was required to loose the blessings God promised us (Heb 9:16-22). “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives”. This testament is the blessings of the everlasting covenant, even life, faith, and love... even power over sin, and heaven to come. God died, giving up everything that He had – Himself - so that He could give us all that He has – Himself - in forgiveness, grace, and love. Death is how we get life, and death is the payment for sin.