City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

¹¹ But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), ¹² he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:11-14 (CSB)

Reflection

The key word in this section is “but.” As the author summarizes his argument about the old covenant in the first ten verses of chapter 9, he now explains what Jesus Christ has done for us in the following verses. The old covenant could not cleanse the internal conscience, but was only external cleansing. It was full of dead works, because nothing that was done could truly save them.

It took a perfect sacrifice from a sinless God-man to fully atone for our sins, and cleanse us from the inside out. This is what Jesus did for us. It is better than what any sacrifice or any external works could have done. For it is by grace we have been saved and not by works, so that no man can boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

Application

The only way we could have received a clear conscience is through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross in which He shed His own blood on our behalf. We often go on with our lives trying to do things to please God or clear our consciences from sin and forget that Jesus took care of this already.

Yes, we still sin, but our sin no longer breaks our relationship with God or holds us back. Jesus has fulfilled our obligation to atone for sin by taking this on Himself. So if you are holding back from worshipping or praying to God because of some sin in your life, then do the opposite. Bring this to God knowing that He has already atoned for it and wants you to seek Him out for help to overcome the sin that chains you down.

Prayer

Father in heaven, You are the true source of my salvation and there is nothing I can do to achieve this on my own. You have cleansed me from the inside because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Help me to draw near to You. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.