Hebrews 9

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ ... cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (14). The old system of “gifts and sacrifices”, food and “ceremonial washings” (10) helped the Israelites understand the severity of sin and what God required for holiness. These “external regulations” could not get rid of the guilt of sin (9), but they foreshadowed the One who could.

“Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance” (15). Through Jesus, priest and perfect sacrifice, we are cleansed and invited into our inheritance: abundant life with God and one another, now and forever.