What does "enter heaven to offer Himself again and again" signify about Jesus? Setting the scene in Hebrews 9 • Hebrews 9 contrasts the limited, repetitive sacrifices of Israel’s earthly priests with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. • Verse 25 says, “Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own”. • The author is highlighting something extraordinary: Jesus’ work is absolutely final; it cannot and need not be repeated. What the old high priest had to do • Once a year on the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16), the high priest carried animal blood behind the veil. • That blood was a temporary covering, never truly removing sin (Hebrews 10:1-4). • Every new year brought another trip, another sacrifice, another reminder that sin still separated the people from God. What Jesus did differently • He offered His own blood, not the blood of animals (Hebrews 9:12). • He entered “heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence” (Hebrews 9:24). • He offered Himself “once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin” (Hebrews 9:26). • After finishing, He sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12) — a seated priest means the work is complete. What “not … again and again” tells us about Jesus 1. Finality – “It is finished” (John 19:30). – No recurring sacrifice, no unfinished business, no lingering guilt for those who trust Him. 2. Sufficiency – One sacrifice meets every need for every sinner who believes (Hebrews 10:14). – Nothing can be added to what He has already accomplished. 3. Superiority – Earthly priests stood; Jesus is enthroned. – Earthly blood covered; Jesus’ blood cleanses (1 John 1:7). 4. Singularity – “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). – Repetition would imply imperfection; His single offering proves perfection. Supporting scriptures that echo the same truth • 1 Peter 3:18 — “Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” • Romans 6:10 — “The death He died, He died to sin once for all.” • Hebrews 10:10 — “We have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Why this matters for us today • Assurance — Our forgiveness rests on a finished work, not our performance. • Bold access — We draw near with confidence, knowing the way into God’s presence is permanently opened (Hebrews 10:19-22). • Hope — Because the sacrifice is complete, His promised return is not to deal with sin again but “to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9:28). |
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