Hebrews 9:11-14 – The effectiveness of Christ’s sacrifice

Earlier we saw that the superiority of Christ’s Priesthood was based on three things: (1) a better ministry; (2) a better covenant; and (3) a better sanctuary. Now in these verses we are given one more reason: a better sacrifice.

The author to the Hebrews picked up from where he left off in Hebrews 8:3. He showed us what Christ has done, since the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were ineffectual. Here we are told that Christ made an offering that had secured the believer’s redemption for all eternity. And since blood is the emphasis in all sacrifices, the author delved on the significance of the blood of animals and that of Christ. The author set out to say in verses 11-14 that the sacrifice that Christ offered was more superior to that of the Old Covenant. He added that the time of reformation which the author spoke about in verse 10 had arrived. As High Priest, Christ’s service was rendered in a greater, better and more perfect tabernacle. Unlike the old one that was temporal and had become obsolete, the tabernacle that Christ entered in to serve was not made by hand and was not of this creation, meaning not an earthly one. The point the author made is that Christ had entered the true holy place, that is, Heaven, the very presence of God.

Besides, the author explicitly said that Christ did not enter into the presence of God with the blood of animals. He entered in with His very own Blood. In the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant, the priest could only enter the Holy of Holies through the blood of goats and calves. The goats were for the sins of the people and the calves for the sins of the high priest (Leviticus 16:5-11). However, Christ the High Priest of the New Covenant, entered not into the Holy of Holies, but into the very presence of God with His own Blood. The blood of animals had limited efficacy whereas Christ’s Blood has great value and is totally efficacious.

While the priests of the Old Covenant had to offer sacrifices repeatedly, Christ need not do it yearly. His entrance into God’s presence was once for all. The phrase “once for all” meant that Christ is in the presence of God for all time. The many sacrifices of the Old Covenant only procured partial and temporary deliverance, whereas Christ’s Blood obtained for believers their eternal redemption. The cleansing provided by the sacrifices of the Old Covenant was only temporary, but the sacrifice of Jesus Christ provided permanent cleansing. The author pointed out that the Old Testament sacrifices only brought cleansing of the outward flesh, whereas the Blood provided by Christ’s sacrifice cleanses one’s conscience. It is interesting that the Holy Spirit is alluded to as “the eternal Spirit.” In verse 14, we see that all three persons of the Trinity had a part in the redemptive work.

In verse 14, why did the author make reference to dead works? Evidently, he was referring to the Mosaic Covenant. The author wanted to contrast the dead ceremonial and ritualistic cleansing of the prescribed Mosaic Covenant with the effectual cleansing of the conscience of the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ. While the cleansing provided by the Old Covenant was only temporary, the cleansing of the New Covenant was permanent. 

Why was the sacrifice of Christ better? (1) It was conducted in the heavenly tabernacle; (2) it was transacted with His own Blood; (3) It is a once and for all sacrifice; (4) its result is permanent for it’s an eternal redemption; and (5) its accomplishment is greater for it cleanses the conscience. Hallelujah! Our conscience is cleansed for all time and we can draw near to God in worship. Hence, we should boldly draw near without fear.