August 4, 2014

IT'S NOT ME, IT'S YOU.

Hebrews 9:1–10

Paul Gittemeier
Monday's Devo

August 4, 2014

Monday's Devo

August 4, 2014

Central Truth

Old Testament worship: Many people talking to a few priests talking to one high priest talking to God. One day a year.

New Testament contrast: No earthly high priest is now needed; there is only "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Key Verse | Hebrews 9:9–10

. . . According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. (Hebrews 9:9-10)

Hebrews 9:1–10

The Earthly Holy Place

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. For a tent 1 9:2 Or tabernacle; also verses 11, 21 was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. 2 9:2 Greek the presentation of the loaves It is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a second section 3 9:3 Greek tent; also verses 6, 8 called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). 4 9:9 Or which is symbolic for the age then present According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

Footnotes

[1] 9:2 Or tabernacle; also verses 11, 21
[2] 9:2 Greek the presentation of the loaves
[3] 9:3 Greek tent; also verses 6, 8
[4] 9:9 Or which is symbolic for the age then present

Dive Deeper | Hebrews 9:1–10

In the Old Testament, there were solemn, God-directed worship protocols involving daily, weekly, and yearly rituals. They were performed in a tent with an outer and inner court separated by veils representing the separation between God and man. These rituals called for incense, manna, golden candlesticks, vine branches with grapes, anointing oil, a basin of blood from a sacrificed goat, burnt offerings of the skin of bulls and sheep, a mercy seat, an altar, a rod fashioned from a tree, sacred garments, ceremonial washing techniques and much more.

There were so many that the writer of Hebrews tells us in verse 5 (NIV), "we cannot discuss these things in detail now," meaning "you probably don't have the time or inclination to drill down on these practices right now!" While scholars have spent centuries studying these rituals, verses 9 and 10 clearly explain that they were external actions incapable of clearing the conscience (heart) of the worshipers. They only apply until the time of the new order -- the arrival of Jesus.

Contrast the Old Testament and the New Testament: On a cold, quiet, dark Bethlehem night -- and later on a crowded, angry, dark Friday afternoon outside of Jerusalem, things changed: the next chapter of man's pursuit of God was revealed. It was no longer about what we do for God, but rather what God did for us. Because our actions reveal our hearts, God was more interested in our hearts than our actions. What was formerly external became internal and eternal. As we read in Matthew 6:21, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I love this stanza from Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone):

My chains are gone,
I've been set free.

My God, my Savior has ransomed me.

And like a flood His mercy reigns
.
Unending love, amazing grace.

Here is the link to the awesome YouTube version:
Amazing Grace

I hope your day is amazing and that the contrasts in your life reflect an unchained heart set free to worship and pursue Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. Contrast the Old Testament style of regulated, reverent, ceremonial worship through high priests and the New Testament opportunity to worship God through a direct relationship with both our hearts and our actions. Is one easier or more effective for you than the other?

2. If God is more interested in our hearts than our behaviors, does this mean we're free to do whatever we want? How does Matthew 6:21 apply here?

3. Further to the idea of the contrasts in our lives, what are some of yours?

4. What if all you had today were the things you thanked God for yesterday?