Advent: December 11, 2024

Hebrews 9:11-12 (ESV) But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Hebrews 10:12-18 (ESV) But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Advent. Jesus, the Great High Priest, comes to accomplish eternal redemption because he is the One who was promised.

The writer of Hebrews goes to lengths to contrast the work of regular priests who must do their daily work of offering the blood of animals with Jesus who offers his own blood, as Hebrews 9:22 makes clear: “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”

But Jesus is no ordinary priest. The blood required for Jesus to make the new Covenant that the Holy Spirit testifies to in Hebrews 10:15-18 is not the blood of goats and calves.

No. Jesus, God the Son, entered the presence of God the Father with his own divine/human blood and he offered it up for the sins of a people to be redeemed through the preached good news of his kingdom. Thus, Jesus secures eternal redemption.

This is good news! I wonder what that scene looked like when Jesus presented his blood himself to the Father. What a painting that would make.

Jesus came to accomplish this astonishing crescendo of redemptive work, and this redemptive work is why we can rest confidently in the completion of our salvation. Salvation has never been based on our effort, help, or perfection. Our salvation rests completely in Jesus’ redemptive work for us, his merit alone, and he invites us to receive him by faith.

Don’t doubt it. Drink deeply from Jesus, the infinite spring of living water, and enjoy this Advent season.