What is the meaning of Hebrews 9:11? But when Christ came “Christ came” (Hebrews 9:11). • The eternal Son took on flesh at a real point in history (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4). • His arrival signals a decisive turning of God’s redemptive calendar—everything before pointed to Him, everything after flows from Him (Luke 24:27). • The contrast word “But” reminds us that earlier verses spoke of earthly priests and repetitive sacrifices; now Someone greater steps onto the stage (Hebrews 7:23-24). as high priest of the good things that have come “Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come” (Hebrews 9:11). • Jesus is not merely a symbolic priest; He is the ultimate High Priest who actually bridges sinners to God (Hebrews 4:14). • “Good things” include forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), access to God’s throne (Hebrews 10:19), the indwelling Spirit (John 14:16-17), and every spiritual blessing already secured in Him (Ephesians 1:3). • These blessings “have come,” not “might come.” His finished work has already inaugurated the New Covenant promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle “He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle” (Hebrews 9:11). • Earthly priests entered a tent made of fabric; Jesus entered God’s actual dwelling place (Hebrews 8:2). • “Greater” points to superiority; “more perfect” points to completeness—there is nothing lacking in this heavenly sanctuary. • By passing through this true tabernacle, He presents His own blood before the Father once for all (Hebrews 9:12). that is not made by hands “…a tabernacle not made by hands…” (Hebrews 9:11). • Human craftsmanship built the wilderness tabernacle (Exodus 36–38); God Himself fashioned this heavenly one (Acts 7:48-50). • Because no earthly tools shaped it, no earthly corruption can tarnish it (James 1:17). • Jesus’ priestly ministry therefore rests on a foundation completely untouched by human limitation (Mark 14:58). and is not a part of this creation “…that is, not of this creation” (Hebrews 9:11). • The realm Christ enters is outside the fallen order we know (Colossians 1:16-17). • Earthly sanctuaries were temporary, subject to wear, and ultimately destined for decay (Hebrews 8:13); His sanctuary is eternal (Revelation 21:22). • Because His priesthood functions in that unshakable sphere, believers possess an unshakable hope (Hebrews 6:19). summary Hebrews 9:11 announces that the incarnate Son arrived in history as the once-for-all High Priest, bringing to believers every promised blessing. He carries out His ministry in the very presence of God, a sanctuary entirely of divine origin and totally untouched by earthly decay. Therefore His sacrifice stands eternally sufficient, and the good things He secures are ours with equal permanence. |
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