Episode Overview

In Season 4, Week 15, Day 3 of A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace, hosted by The Daily Grace Co., Beth and Alexa delve into Hebrews 9:24-26. This episode focuses on annotating and unpacking the profound theological connections between the Old Testament sacrificial system and Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice, highlighting how these scriptures collectively point to Jesus as the central figure of redemption.

Passage Reading and Annotation

The episode begins with Alexa reading Hebrews 9:24-26:

"For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God. For us, he did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared one time at the end of the ages for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself."

(Hebrews 9:24-26)

Beth shares her annotation process, focusing on the comparison and contrast between Old Testament sacrifices and Jesus' sacrifice.

Key Insights

Comparison of Old and New Testament Sacrifices

Beth highlights three critical distinctions between the sacrificial systems:

1. Heavenly vs. Earthly Sanctuary:

   • Beth notes, "Jesus enters the heavenly sanctuary rather than the one on earth that was built by humans" (01:25). She explains that the earthly tabernacle referenced in Leviticus and Exodus served as a shadow of the heavenly throne room. In contrast, Jesus’ entry into the actual heavenly sanctuary signifies a more profound and eternal access to God.

2. Nature of the Sacrifice:

   • Beth observes, "the high priest enters the sanctuary with the blood of another, that is the blood of a goat or a ram or a bull. But Jesus enters the heavenly sanctuary with his own blood" (01:25). This underscores the uniqueness of Jesus' sacrifice, being His own blood that provides a definitive atonement for sin.

3. Frequency of Sacrifices:

   • Beth points out, "the Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated over and over, but Jesus, he only had to appear one time" (01:25). Unlike the annual sacrifices of the high priest, Jesus' singular sacrifice effectively removes sin once and for all.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

Alexa builds on Beth’s insights, connecting the discussion to previous episodes:

"We talked about last week how Moses was not able to enter into the tabernacle... and here we see Jesus enter into the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf so that we could be forgiven and brought into God's presence."

(Alexa, 02:49)

This emphasizes the transition from the Old Testament rituals to the fulfillment of those rituals through Jesus Christ.

Attributes of God Highlighted

Beth identifies two key attributes of God revealed through this passage:

1. Providence:

   • "God is our provider. He provides us with Jesus to be our perfect sacrifice so that he could provide us with forgiveness."

   (Beth, 03:18)

2. Faithfulness:

   • "He is faithful to his people and his promises... In sending Jesus, he is able to bring that plan to fulfillment by making atonement for the sins of all people who trust in Christ."

   (Beth, 03:18)

These attributes underscore God's unwavering commitment to redemption and His meticulous fulfillment of His divine plan through Jesus.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode effectively elucidates how Hebrews 9:24-26 bridges Old Testament sacrificial practices with the New Testament revelation of Jesus' singular, ultimate sacrifice. By contrasting the earthly sanctuary and repeated sacrifices with Jesus' heavenly intercession and one-time offering, Beth and Alexa demonstrate the cohesive narrative of Scripture pointing to Christ as the cornerstone of redemption.

As Alexa anticipates future discussions, listeners are encouraged to reflect on the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus, deepening their understanding and love for Him.

Notable Quotes

• Beth: "Jesus enters the heavenly sanctuary rather than the one on earth that was built by humans." (01:25)

• Beth: "The Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated over and over, but Jesus, he only had to appear one time." (01:25)

• Beth: "God is our provider. He provides us with Jesus to be our perfect sacrifice so that he could provide us with forgiveness." (03:18)

• Beth: "He is faithful to his people and his promises... by making atonement for the sins of all people who trust in Christ." (03:18)

• Alexa: "We see Jesus enter into the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf so that we could be forgiven and brought into God's presence." (02:49)

Note: Timestamps are provided in MM:SS format for reference.