The Supremacy of Christ: One Sacrifice for All

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus’ Death as the Perfect Sacrifice Redeems All Believers

The death of Jesus Christ is the essential requirement for the New Covenant, providing redemption not only for those who believe today but also for the faithful of the Old Testament. Just as an inheritance cannot be received until the one who made the will has died, so too the blessings and forgiveness of God could only be given through the death of Christ. His sacrifice is the fulfillment and completion of all that the Old Covenant pointed toward, and it is by His death that both past and present believers are redeemed and receive the promised eternal inheritance. [07:33]

Hebrews 9:15-17 (ESV)
"Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive."

Reflection: In what ways does knowing that Jesus’ death redeems both you and believers throughout history deepen your gratitude for His sacrifice today?

Day 2: The Power and Necessity of Perfect Blood for Forgiveness

Blood is central to God’s plan for forgiveness, both in the Old and New Covenants. The shedding of blood in the Old Testament was a vivid, repeated reminder of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, but it was only a shadow of the true, perfect sacrifice to come. Jesus’ blood, pure and sinless, was shed once for all, making atonement and purifying us completely. Without the shedding of His blood, there is no forgiveness, but because of it, we are cleansed and made new. [23:55]

Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)
"Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: As you consider the cost and necessity of Jesus’ blood for your forgiveness, how might this change the way you approach God in confession and worship today?

Day 3: Christ’s Sacrifice Was Offered in Heaven, Not Just on Earth

The location of Jesus’ sacrifice sets it apart from all previous offerings. While the Old Testament sacrifices took place in earthly temples—mere copies and shadows—Jesus entered heaven itself to present His own blood before the Father. This perfect, once-for-all sacrifice in the true heavenly sanctuary means that our forgiveness is complete and eternal, not dependent on repeated rituals but secured by Christ’s finished work in the very presence of God. [27:52]

Hebrews 9:24-26 (ESV)
"For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus presented His sacrifice in heaven itself give you confidence in the security and sufficiency of your salvation?

Day 4: The New Covenant Brings Immediate and Lasting Forgiveness

Through faith in Christ’s finished work, believers receive the immediate benefit of complete forgiveness—our sins are no longer held against us. This freedom allows us to serve God from the heart, not out of guilt or obligation, but out of love and gratitude. Even as we continue to struggle with sin, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that our position before Him is secure because of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice. [34:37]

Hebrews 9:28 (ESV)
"So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

Reflection: Is there a sin or regret you continue to carry, even though Christ has already forgiven you? What would it look like to truly live in the freedom of that forgiveness today?

Day 5: Eagerly Awaiting Christ’s Return and Our Complete Salvation

The New Covenant not only offers forgiveness now but also promises a glorious future. Jesus will return, not to deal with sin again, but to bring final salvation to those who eagerly await Him. This hope should fill us with anticipation and shape the way we live, reminding us that the best is yet to come—new bodies, a new creation, and eternal joy in God’s presence. [36:19]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: What is one way you can cultivate a greater eagerness for Christ’s return and the fullness of your salvation this week?

Sermon Summary

The book of Hebrews reveals the supremacy of Jesus as our Messiah, and in chapter 9, we see the heart of the gospel: one death for all sins. The theme of blood runs throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament sacrifices to the cross of Christ, and it’s not just a strange or archaic detail—it’s the very means by which God brings life out of death. The blood of Jesus is not just a symbol; it is the reality that cleanses us, covers our guilt, and secures our eternal inheritance.

The old covenant, inaugurated with the blood of animals, could never fully clear the conscience or deal with sin at its root. Those sacrifices were only copies, shadows pointing forward to the true and final sacrifice. Jesus, as the perfect mediator, steps in between sinful humanity and a holy God, offering Himself as both priest and sacrifice. His death was necessary, just as a will only takes effect after the death of the one who made it. Only through His death could the promised inheritance—eternal life—be distributed to those who are called by faith.

This truth also answers the age-old question: how were Old Testament believers saved? Their faith in God’s promises was credited to them as righteousness, but the actual payment for their sins awaited the death of Christ. His sacrifice is retroactively applied to all who believed under the first covenant, just as it is applied to us today. The blood of Jesus is perfect, and it was offered not in an earthly temple, but in the very presence of God in heaven. This is why His sacrifice is once for all—never to be repeated, never to be improved upon.

The benefits of this new covenant are both present and future. Now, we are forgiven, freed from the debt of sin, and able to serve God from the heart, not out of guilt or fear. In the future, we eagerly await Christ’s return, when our salvation will be made complete and we will receive glorified bodies in a new creation. Until then, we remember and celebrate this covenant through the Lord’s Supper, focusing our hearts on the wonder-working power of the blood of the Lamb.

Key Takeaways

1. The necessity of blood in God’s covenants reveals both the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. Blood is not a mere ritual detail; it is the means by which life is given and atonement is made. The shedding of blood underscores that sin brings death, but God, in His mercy, provides a way for life to triumph through sacrifice. [02:05]
2. Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity, and His death is the foundation of the new covenant. Unlike the old system, which required continual sacrifices and human mediators, Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice secures our inheritance and gives us direct access to God. No other mediator is needed; Christ alone distributes the blessings of salvation. [09:18]
3. The salvation of Old Testament believers depended on faith, just as ours does, but the actual forgiveness of their sins awaited the death of Christ. God, in His forbearance, passed over former sins until the perfect sacrifice was made. This retroactive application of Christ’s death demonstrates the unity of God’s plan and the sufficiency of Jesus’ blood for all who trust Him, past, present, and future. [15:44]
4. The location of Christ’s sacrifice—offered in heaven, not on earth—marks the radical difference of the new covenant. Earthly sacrifices were only copies and shadows, but Jesus entered the true holy place with His own blood. This heavenly offering means our forgiveness is complete, our sins are truly covered, and the covenant is eternally secure. [27:52]
5. The benefits of Christ’s sacrifice are both immediate and yet to be fully realized. Now, we are forgiven and freed to serve God with love, not fear. In the future, we await the fullness of salvation at Christ’s return, when we will receive glorified bodies and dwell with Him forever. This hope should stir us to live with eager anticipation and deep gratitude. [34:37]

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 9:15-28 (ESV) — 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.
19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.”
21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.
22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,
26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 9, what is the role of blood in both the old and new covenants? ([21:55])
What does the passage say about the necessity of death for a will (or inheritance) to take effect? ([10:47])
Where did Jesus offer his sacrifice, and how is this different from the sacrifices under the old covenant? ([27:52])
What does the text say about how often Jesus’ sacrifice needs to be repeated? ([29:30])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose blood as the means for atonement and forgiveness, rather than some other symbol or act? ([23:55])
The sermon says that Old Testament sacrifices were “copies” or “shadows” of the real thing. What does this mean for how we read the Old Testament laws and rituals today? ([26:36])
The pastor explained that Old Testament believers were saved by faith, but the actual payment for their sins awaited Christ’s death. How does this help us understand the unity of God’s plan across the whole Bible? ([15:44])
The passage says Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity. What are some ways people today might look for other mediators, and why is it important to remember that Christ alone is enough? ([09:18])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, shown by the need for blood in God’s covenants. Is there a way you tend to minimize the seriousness of sin in your own life? How might remembering the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice change your attitude toward sin this week? ([02:05])
Since Jesus’ sacrifice gives us direct access to God, are there ways you still act as if you need to earn God’s favor or go through someone else? What would it look like to approach God with confidence because of Christ? ([09:18])
The pastor said that the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice are both now (forgiveness, freedom to serve God from the heart) and future (awaiting Christ’s return and glorified bodies). Which of these benefits do you find hardest to believe or live out, and why? ([34:37])
The sermon explained that Old Testament believers were saved by faith, just like us. How does this truth affect the way you read the Old Testament or think about God’s faithfulness over time? ([15:44])
The Lord’s Supper is a way to remember and celebrate the new covenant. How can you make this time more meaningful in your own life, rather than just a routine? ([38:45])
The pastor mentioned that some Christians struggle to believe they are truly forgiven, especially when they keep struggling with sin. Is this something you relate to? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of the completeness of Christ’s forgiveness? ([34:37])
The passage says we should “eagerly await” Christ’s return. What does it look like to live with eager anticipation for Jesus’ return in your daily life? Are there things that distract you from this hope? ([36:19])

Sermon Clips

You don't need me as a pastor to mediate between you and Jesus at the throne of God? I can pray for you, and we should pray for each other, but I'm not here to mediate this covenant. Jesus is the mediator of this covenant. He's in charge of how the inheritance goes forth. Under the old covenant, the priest, he was the mediator. No more priests needed. Jesus, we learn back in chapter 8, he's the perfect high priest. He's in charge now. [00:09:06] (35 seconds)

Old Testament believers get saved because of faith, just like you and I get saved because of faith. We see this probably most perfectly in Abraham's situation, right? The Bible tells us in Abraham in Genesis chapter 15 that he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. Abraham had faith, he believed, and it was counted to him as being right before God. [00:16:06] (26 seconds)

And this truly then perfect sacrifice who is Jesus, his death then is essentially retroactively applied to the believing saints of the Old Testament. Does that make sense? And think about that. Think about the way this might have made those Hebrew Christians just feel. Hey, I get it now. It's faith. And my father, my grandfather, or whatever, he believed, he had faith. How encouraging that was to them to understand that Jesus' death could be essentially retroactively affecting them and that it's complete for all. That's a beautiful, beautiful picture that's painted here for us. [00:16:57] (53 seconds)

Without the shedding of blood, okay, here's the principle, there's no forgiveness of sin. In the holies of holies, that second curtain in the temple. He'd go behind. The high priest would do this once a year. He would spread the blood over all the things that were in there. He would pour the blood specifically on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant with the cherubim, and that would cover, he says, the mercy seat of God. He did all these things. All these things were done. [00:21:43] (33 seconds)

What we have now is a one and done sacrifice for sin. Amen? One and done. One and done. He's put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. This new covenant is not like that old covenant. It's not a high priestly covenant that had to be repeated. And here's the point. This was totally different because the location was not on earth. It's in heaven. It's not on earth. It's in heaven where all this takes place. One sacrifice atones for all. [00:29:13] (42 seconds)

Again, God the Father in heaven. He looks at the mercy seat before him and all he sees is the blood of his son. All he sees is the blood of his son. He doesn't see our sins anymore. They're covered. They've been paid for. We have been redeemed by his blood. The covenant now has been ratified because of the blood. [00:29:57] (32 seconds)

The terms of this covenant, well, we've talked about that also. It's faith, isn't it? It's faith. It's not me do what I, what, the being good. It isn't me doing great things for God. It isn't all those things. It is believing that Jesus loved us so much he did this very thing and that it satisfied his father. It's faith in that. The same faith that brought righteousness to Abraham brings righteousness to us. [00:30:30] (32 seconds)

So we see, again, the new covenant requires death of a perfect sacrifice, perfect blood, perfect location of a perfect sacrifice. And the last thing I want us to see and the writer I believe wants us to see is the new covenant offers perfect benefits now and in the future. He's talking about inheritance, right? That's how this whole passage got started. He's talking about inheritance. [00:31:04] (25 seconds)

``So please understand the power of the forgiveness of God. So what's the benefit now? Well, I think we find that when that verse says, So Christ, having been offered once, bears the sins of many. Because when Christ's work was done, the moment we enter into this contract and accept the terms of the contract, that we believe by faith that Jesus did this, our sins are forgiven. Then and there and on the spot. Right? We are forgiven and freed from this. [00:34:03] (42 seconds)

But I want you to understand, there's more. There's more to your salvation. We have not received it all on this earth. There is more. And I think that's what he's talking about. Not to deal with sin, to save people. People are already saved, but who are eagerly awaiting him. You know what? I'm eagerly awaiting him in his second coming, because when he comes a second time, all right, look. Hey. Hey. Thank you. I've got that heaven. There's going to be a new heaven and a new earth. There's going to be an existence that we can't even comprehend, but it's going to be awesome. And we're going to get these new glorified bodies. And I think they're going to be like Jesus when he was walking around, going from room to room, not just appearing to people. I don't know. It sounds to me like that's a glorified body, and we're going to get that. So we're not completely saved yet in that way. But we should be eagerly awaiting this salvation in his second coming because when he comes a second time, that's when we get this. Right? [00:36:14] (64 seconds)

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