By now, the continuous exposition of Hebrews may be wearing on you. The context and argument of Hebrews is a bit foreign to us as modern Western readers. This world of sacred tabernacles, altars, priests, and ceremonial rites is not part of our upbringing or customs. We are certainly not tempted to return to such practices as the first Hebrew readers were. So, what does this intricately detailed comparison and contrast of Jesus’ new covenant and the old covenant have to do with me? In our text (9:1-14), the author will tell us what the Holy Spirit teaches us through the old covenant Tabernacle. “By this (the limited access to God’s presence), the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section (the Tabernacle) is still standing” (Heb. 9:8). This has everything to do with us. The Tabernacle shows us that the way into God’s presence is closed because of His holiness and humanity’s sin. The Tabernacle kept God’s people at a distance so they would not die from His holy presence. The Tabernacle in Israel’s camp was a constant reminder that though God dwelled among them, they must keep out of that tent or die. However, this section also shows us that the Tabernacle and the Old Covenant system were never intended to be the final answer. The Old Covenant could never cleanse the conscience and allow complete access to God (v. 9-10). Then, Hebrews shows us the contrast of Jesus’ sacrifice and high priestly work that not only secures our eternal redemption but also cleanses the conscience so that now, in Christ, we enter into the full presence of God without fear. Today, you are not tempted to build a sacred tent and start sacrificing goats, but we are all tempted to forsake the way of Jesus and follow some other means to be accepted by God. Yet, just like the works of the Old Covenant, nothing other than Christ can cleanse us on the inside so that we may draw near to God.

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