How can understanding Hebrews 9:17 deepen our appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice? Grasping the Picture of a Will “For a will is in force only after the one who made it has died; it never takes effect while he is still alive.” (Hebrews 9:17) • A “will” (Greek: diathēkē) was a legal document guaranteeing an inheritance, but its promises were locked away until the testator’s death. • Hebrews uses this everyday reality to explain why the New Covenant could not begin until Christ actually died. • Understanding the legal force of a will helps us see that Calvary was not an optional gesture of love; it was the necessary trigger that released every covenant blessing. Connecting the Dots: Old Covenant, New Covenant • Exodus 24:8 records Moses sprinkling blood and saying, “This is the blood of the covenant.” The first covenant began with shed blood. • Hebrews 9:18-22 points out that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (v. 22). • At the Last Supper, Jesus echoed Moses’ words but pointed to a better covenant: “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). • Thus, Hebrews 9:17 serves as the hinge verse explaining why Jesus’ death, not merely His life or teaching, inaugurated the New Covenant. Why Death Was Necessary: God’s Unchanging Justice • Sin brings real guilt and deserves real judgment (Romans 6:23). • God’s holiness cannot overlook sin; His justice demands payment (Romans 3:25-26). • Animal sacrifices hinted at this truth, but could never remove sin (Hebrews 10:4). • Only the death of a sinless, divine testator could satisfy justice fully and forever (Hebrews 10:10). Jesus, the Testator: His Death Activates the Inheritance • By dying, Jesus fulfills the legal requirement that brings the “will” into force. • He is both the giver of the covenant and the sacrifice that secures it (Hebrews 9:15-16). • Because He rose again, He also serves as our living High Priest, guaranteeing that the blessings He unlocked can never be revoked (Hebrews 7:24-25). Our Inheritance Unpacked • Full forgiveness of sins—“I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 10:17) • Cleansed conscience—freedom from condemnation and guilt (Hebrews 9:14) • Direct access to God’s presence—“let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22) • Adoption and sonship—made heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17) • Eternal life—“an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4) Continuing Implications for Daily Life • Gratitude: Every blessing enjoyed today is signed and sealed in Christ’s blood, inviting continual thankfulness. • Assurance: The covenant cannot be annulled; the death that activated it is a completed historical fact. • Holiness: “You were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Living for Him becomes the only reasonable response. • Worship: The cross is both the altar of sacrifice and the unveiling of our secured inheritance, fueling heartfelt adoration. |
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