A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
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The Blood of Christ
Hebrews 9:11-27 (NIV) When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 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. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Overview:
This passage explains how Jesus’ sacrifice is better and more powerful than the old sacrifices made by priests in the Old Testament. It shows that Jesus, as the perfect high priest, entered the heavenly temple once and for all to offer Himself for our sins.
Breakdown by Sections:
Verses 11–12:
Jesus is our High Priest. He didn’t go into a man-made temple (like the Jewish priests did), but into heaven itself. Instead of offering animal blood, He offered His own blood. And He only had to do this once to save us forever.
Simplified:
Jesus didn’t use a regular church or animals like old priests. He used heaven as His temple and gave His own life to make a perfect sacrifice, one time for all time.
Verses 13–14:
Animal sacrifices could make people “outwardly clean,” but Jesus’ sacrifice goes deeper. His blood cleans our conscience, making us truly clean so we can serve God with a whole heart.
Simplified:
Animal blood could clean the outside, but Jesus’ blood cleans us on the inside—our hearts and minds—so we can really live for God.
Verses 15–17:
Jesus brought a new covenant (agreement with God). His death paid the price for sins under the old covenant. Just like a will (inheritance) only takes effect after someone dies, Jesus’ death was necessary to make this new covenant active.
Simplified:
Jesus made a new deal between God and people. His death was like activating a will—it gave us access to God’s promises.
Verses 18–22:
Even in the old covenant, blood was used to start the agreement (like when Moses sprinkled blood on the people and temple items). This showed that forgiveness needs a blood sacrifice.
Simplified:
In the old days, they used animal blood to show that sin is serious and needs payment. Blood meant something important was happening.
Verses 23–24:
The old temple was just a copy of the real one in heaven. Jesus didn’t go into the earthly temple but into heaven itself, to stand before God for us.
Simplified:
The earthly temple was just a model. Jesus went straight to heaven to represent us to God.
Verses 25–27:
Jesus doesn’t need to offer Himself again and again like the old priests. He did it once, and that was enough. Just like people die once and then face judgment, Jesus died once to take away sin and will come again—but not to die again, but to save those who wait for Him.
Simplified:
Jesus’ one death was enough to take away sins. He’ll return—not to suffer again, but to rescue everyone who trusts Him.
Big Picture Summary:
- The old way needed animal sacrifices over and over.
- Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect and happened only once.
- His blood makes us truly clean inside.
- Now we can be close to God and look forward to Jesus’ return.
adam@adamosborne.net
Bible Studies
Last edit 05.02.2025