There is a tabernacle in heaven, and it must really be something to see. The one built in the wilderness was ornate for a nomadic people, and the temple that Solomon later built was lavish by any worldly standard…but the one that exists in heaven will put them all to shame.
If there is a temple, then there is a ritual, a process or a procedure of getting things done within it. A temple is a holy place, and different rules apply. So, things that are common outside are holy inside, and some things that are special outside aren’t of any significance inside. You have to know the rules.
That’s important because the temple is where you connect with God, who exists outside this world. God’s Temple is a place where you get a glimpse of what’s important beyond this world.
So the blood of certain animals is sacred, because it is significant to God far more than gold or silver. In heaven’s economy a billion dollars can’t do what lamb’s blood can do.
And of course, you need someone to offer the sacrifice before God. Someone who will be acceptable. As we discussed yesterday, the priests were only human, and they had to offer sacrifices for themselves continually, since they continued to sin despite their efforts to remain pure.
But not so with Jesus, who is God himself. He offered the sacrifice for our sins once, and since the sacrifice was perfect, and since He cannot die, He never offers it again and He never needs to be replaced. The old system has run out of gas, and Jesus has replaced it forever.
Under the old system (where animals were brought in) the Holy Spirit wasn’t given to the individual. The penalty for any sins committed was removed from the individual, but they weren’t “forgiven”. By that, I mean that the sins still remained, but our name wasn’t attached. It was a temporary affair, designed to allow people to pass from this life to the next freed from sins. It wasn’t until Jesus died for our sins that all sins were truly wiped away. Past, Present, Future…all sins were permanently atoned for by the Blood of Christ. He did what no animal blood could ever do.
In the great tabernacle in heaven, the Lamb of God made intercession for the human race, and the Father accepted the sacrifice and allowed us to re-enter communion with God himself. That’s the new covenant. Now, in this earthly period still covered by the new covenant we enjoy the infilling of the Holy Spirit who teaches, guides, encourages and strengthens us. These are benefits that weren’t available under the old covenant.
So you can see how the author (I think it’s Paul, but no one is certain) of Hebrews can insist that we no longer continue to sin. Being forgiven and then going out to do the same things was an “old covenant” habit. Now that the Holy Spirit is living right inside the believer, making him/her a “living temple” it is unthinkable that we would continue to sin. Who would be bold enough to bring an “unclean” animal into the temple and offer it on the altar?
Living free from sin isn’t just a platitude, it’s a reasonable thoughtful response to the incredible gift that has been given to every believer.
Feeling honored…and humbled,