Hebrews 8:1 - 9:5

Many years ago, due to human weakness, a large ship collided with one span of the I-275 bridges across the mouth of Tampa Bay. The center portion of the span collapsed into the bay. A new bridge was needed. The collapsed bridge was closed and the other span operated with two way traffic until the new bridge was constructed. Finally the new, and better, Sunshine Skyway Bridge was completed. The old bridges were no longer necessary and were disassembled and turned into fishing piers.

The writer of Hebrews says that because of human weakness the Old Covenant God had with his people was no longer accomplishing God’s purposes. God promised a New, better, Covenant (Jeremiah 31). When the time was right God initiated the New Covenant through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Old Covenant is obsolete because we now have a new and better Covenant with God.

The author is using this argument to urge the people to remain loyal to Jesus. Why should they go back to their former ways of worship in the Temple now that God has given them something so much better?

At first reading this may seem as helpful, historical information, but not really relevant to us today. We have no Temple worship, sacrifices, rules and regulations to fall back on. Or, do we?

On any given Sunday the majority of people in the sanctuary, when asked if they thought they would go to heaven when they died, would reply, “I hope so” or “I think I’ve been good enough” or “I may not be perfect, but I know I am better than  . . .” Without being fully conscious of it, most Christians are still laboring with works righteousness. They may read

 “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1)

but, reading about grace is one thing, living in grace is another.

“So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21

So, are you living in grace or are you trying to work your way into heaven?

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

23-Feb-12     Heb. 9:6-28