1 00:00:02,730 --> 00:00:12,710 Speaker 1: Life Audio Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, 2 00:00:13,950 --> 00:00:18,370 Speaker 1: a calming scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end 3 00:00:18,450 --> 00:00:21,409 Speaker 1: each day with God's Word in your mind and on 4 00:00:21,430 --> 00:00:26,500 Speaker 1: your heart. Right after the short word from our sponsors, 5 00:00:27,090 --> 00:00:33,480 Speaker 1: we will reflect on tonight's scripture and Hebrews chapter 9. 6 00:00:40,890 --> 00:00:44,989 Speaker 1: Our evening reflection is written by Britt Mooney and read 7 00:00:45,150 --> 00:00:52,740 Speaker 1: by Kyle Norman. Hebrews chapter 9. Though the first covenant 8 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary, a 9 00:00:57,940 --> 00:01:01,470 Speaker 1: tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the 10 00:01:01,510 --> 00:01:05,670 Speaker 1: lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread. This was 11 00:01:05,730 --> 00:01:09,410 Speaker 1: called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a 12 00:01:09,470 --> 00:01:12,770 Speaker 1: room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden 13 00:01:12,870 --> 00:01:16,300 Speaker 1: altar of incense and the gold-covered Ark of the Covenant. 14 00:01:17,340 --> 00:01:21,500 Speaker 1: This Ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff 15 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: that had budded, and the stone tablets of the Covenant. 16 00:01:26,060 --> 00:01:29,810 Speaker 1: Above the Ark were the cherubim of the glory, overshadowing 17 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:33,850 Speaker 1: the atonement cover, though we cannot discuss these things in 18 00:01:33,890 --> 00:01:39,110 Speaker 1: detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the 19 00:01:39,150 --> 00:01:42,830 Speaker 1: priest entered regularly into the outer room to carry on 20 00:01:42,870 --> 00:01:47,770 Speaker 1: their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, 21 00:01:48,610 --> 00:01:51,810 Speaker 1: and that only once a year, and never without blood, 22 00:01:52,430 --> 00:01:55,050 Speaker 1: which he offered for himself and for the sins of 23 00:01:55,090 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 1: the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was 24 00:01:59,740 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: showing by this that the way into the most holy 25 00:02:03,060 --> 00:02:06,860 Speaker 1: place had not yet been disclosed as long as the 26 00:02:06,910 --> 00:02:12,230 Speaker 1: first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for 27 00:02:12,250 --> 00:02:16,790 Speaker 1: the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being 28 00:02:16,910 --> 00:02:20,579 Speaker 1: offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper. 29 00:02:21,380 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: They are only a matter of food and drink and 30 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 1: various ceremonial washings, external regulations, applying until the time of 31 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:35,710 Speaker 1: the new order. But when Christ came as high priest 32 00:02:35,750 --> 00:02:39,410 Speaker 1: of the good things that are now already here, he 33 00:02:39,470 --> 00:02:43,390 Speaker 1: went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is 34 00:02:43,450 --> 00:02:46,650 Speaker 1: not made with human hands. That is to say, it 35 00:02:46,730 --> 00:02:50,269 Speaker 1: is not a part of this creation. He did not 36 00:02:50,370 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 1: enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, 37 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:56,900 Speaker 1: but he entered the most holy place once for all 38 00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 1: by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood 39 00:03:03,020 --> 00:03:05,970 Speaker 1: of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer 40 00:03:06,050 --> 00:03:10,950 Speaker 1: sprinkled on those who are ceremonial unclean, sanctify them so 41 00:03:10,970 --> 00:03:15,410 Speaker 1: that they are outwardly clean. How much more then will 42 00:03:15,450 --> 00:03:19,380 Speaker 1: the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered 43 00:03:19,419 --> 00:03:24,579 Speaker 1: himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that 44 00:03:24,620 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 1: lead to death, so that we may serve the living God, 45 00:03:29,060 --> 00:03:32,870 Speaker 1: For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, 46 00:03:33,510 --> 00:03:37,490 Speaker 1: that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, 47 00:03:38,530 --> 00:03:41,030 Speaker 1: now that he has died as a ransom to set 48 00:03:41,070 --> 00:03:43,950 Speaker 1: them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 49 00:03:45,670 --> 00:03:48,550 Speaker 1: In the case of a will, it is necessary to 50 00:03:48,630 --> 00:03:51,740 Speaker 1: prove the death of the one who made it, because 51 00:03:51,790 --> 00:03:54,500 Speaker 1: a will is in force only when someone has died. 52 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: It never takes effect while the one who made it 53 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:01,980 Speaker 1: is living. This is why even the first covenant was 54 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:07,220 Speaker 1: not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed 55 00:04:07,660 --> 00:04:10,700 Speaker 1: every command of the law to all the people, he 56 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: took the blood of the calves together with water, scarlet 57 00:04:14,380 --> 00:04:18,130 Speaker 1: wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled a scroll in 58 00:04:18,190 --> 00:04:21,110 Speaker 1: all the people. He said, this is the blood of 59 00:04:21,130 --> 00:04:24,950 Speaker 1: the covenant which God has commanded you to keep. In 60 00:04:24,970 --> 00:04:27,930 Speaker 1: the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the 61 00:04:27,970 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the 62 00:04:32,580 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and 63 00:04:36,580 --> 00:04:40,630 Speaker 1: without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It 64 00:04:40,710 --> 00:04:44,789 Speaker 1: was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things 65 00:04:45,089 --> 00:04:49,589 Speaker 1: to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things 66 00:04:49,630 --> 00:04:56,220 Speaker 1: themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not 67 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,870 Speaker 1: enter a sanctuary without made with human hands, that was 68 00:04:59,930 --> 00:05:03,089 Speaker 1: only a copy of the true one, he entered heaven itself, 69 00:05:04,110 --> 00:05:08,210 Speaker 1: now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did 70 00:05:08,250 --> 00:05:11,700 Speaker 1: he enter heaven to offer himself again and again the 71 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,539 Speaker 1: way the high priest enters the most holy place every 72 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:19,740 Speaker 1: year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, Christ 73 00:05:19,779 --> 00:05:23,090 Speaker 1: would have had to suffer many things since the creation 74 00:05:23,130 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: of this world. But he has appeared once for all 75 00:05:27,420 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: at the culmination of the ages to do away with 76 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:35,010 Speaker 1: sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are 77 00:05:35,070 --> 00:05:38,430 Speaker 1: destined to die once and after that to face judgment, 78 00:05:39,310 --> 00:05:43,370 Speaker 1: so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins 79 00:05:43,450 --> 00:05:46,870 Speaker 1: of many, and he will appear a second time not 80 00:05:46,970 --> 00:05:51,210 Speaker 1: to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who 81 00:05:51,270 --> 00:06:00,010 Speaker 1: are waiting for him. It is finished. That's from John 19, 82 00:06:00,010 --> 00:06:04,890 Speaker 1: verse 30. How finished is it when God says this? 83 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:11,779 Speaker 1: Finish is the Greek word telestai, which means to complete 84 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:16,380 Speaker 1: or to accomplish, to fulfill, to bring its intended goal 85 00:06:16,860 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 1: or to pay in full. When Jesus utters these words 86 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:25,180 Speaker 1: on the cross, he states a finality, a completion and 87 00:06:25,220 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: a final payment Jesus completed a redemptive, restorative work and 88 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 1: ransomed us to be a part of it. Meanwhile, we 89 00:06:36,610 --> 00:06:41,550 Speaker 1: don't operate within a finished world. Our environment constantly changes. 90 00:06:42,270 --> 00:06:47,169 Speaker 1: Chaos regularly invades our lives. At least, this is the 91 00:06:47,230 --> 00:06:52,150 Speaker 1: world we see, the temporal one. With faith in Christ, 92 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,300 Speaker 1: being born again, we've been translated into a finished work. 93 00:06:57,230 --> 00:07:00,390 Speaker 1: Our lives are truly in heaven, hidden at the right 94 00:07:00,430 --> 00:07:06,390 Speaker 1: hand of God in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9 particularly focuses 95 00:07:06,630 --> 00:07:10,230 Speaker 1: on the divine temple that God calls us into, of 96 00:07:10,250 --> 00:07:13,350 Speaker 1: which the Old Testament structures were but a copy and 97 00:07:13,410 --> 00:07:18,050 Speaker 1: a shadow. The blood of Jesus cleansed and prepared the 98 00:07:18,130 --> 00:07:23,010 Speaker 1: eternal temple and courts. His blood also cleansed us, to 99 00:07:23,090 --> 00:07:28,470 Speaker 1: minister within the pure and immortal tabernacle and intercede along 100 00:07:28,510 --> 00:07:32,270 Speaker 1: with Christ, the great high priest, we are already there. 101 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 1: Scripture recognizes our struggle and our pains in this life 102 00:07:38,420 --> 00:07:41,940 Speaker 1: while calling us to anchor our souls in the eternal 103 00:07:42,020 --> 00:07:46,430 Speaker 1: reality already present in heaven and one day to be 104 00:07:46,510 --> 00:07:51,570 Speaker 1: revealed in full when he returns. For strength to endure today, 105 00:07:52,620 --> 00:07:56,750 Speaker 1: let us cast our gazes upon what's already been done. 106 00:08:01,350 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus declared it is finished, 107 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 1: completing the work of redemption on our behalf. Help us 108 00:08:10,860 --> 00:08:13,860 Speaker 1: anchor our hearts in the eternal reality of your kingdom 109 00:08:14,460 --> 00:08:19,350 Speaker 1: when chaos and suffering surround us. Remind us that through 110 00:08:19,410 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: Christ's blood you have cleansed us, welcomed us into your 111 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:27,940 Speaker 1: heavenly presence, and called us to serve you as your 112 00:08:28,020 --> 00:08:33,970 Speaker 1: holy people. Strengthen us to focus eyes of faith on 113 00:08:34,030 --> 00:08:39,250 Speaker 1: what's unseen and eternal rather than temporary and fading away. 114 00:08:40,830 --> 00:08:45,510 Speaker 1: Let the finished work of Jesus give us peace, perseverance, 115 00:08:45,630 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 1: and hope in the future that you have for us 116 00:08:49,220 --> 00:08:54,460 Speaker 1: in your kingdom and your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. 117 00:08:56,850 --> 00:09:00,210 Speaker 1: How did tonight's scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts 118 00:09:00,970 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 1: in the Your Nightly Scripture Forum discussion. Thank you for 119 00:09:13,179 --> 00:09:17,900 Speaker 1: listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture was read from 120 00:09:17,940 --> 00:09:25,350 Speaker 1: the New International Version by Biblica. All rights reserved. Be 121 00:09:25,390 --> 00:09:29,030 Speaker 1: sure to follow our sister show, Your Daily Bible Verse, 122 00:09:29,290 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 1: on Apple or Spotify. By following Your Daily Bible Verse 123 00:09:35,059 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 1: and Your Nightly Scripture, you can be sure that your 124 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,709 Speaker 1: day begins and ends centered on the Word of God. 125 00:09:54,750 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: Thank you.