Christ’s Death is Necessary

Hebrews 9:16–22
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Ray Stedman tells how he met with a group of men and women to whom the director of a Christian Conference Center was explaining certain of the procedures involved in securing additional property for the expansion of their ministry. He described one case where a deed had been exec … More

Death

The author uses the illustration of a will (vv. 16-17). A will requires the death of its own maker. It can be changed many times, so long as its maker lives; but his death sets it in force. Christ’s death put into effect the will and covenant He had made for all who have fulfilled its requirements. Wills are of no value to the beneficiaries until the death of the will-maker. That is what the writer argues in this passage. Without death, it is impossible to receive the benefits of the covenant God makes.

As an illustration of how this actually happens, the Old Testament sacrifices might be compared to the writing of a check (vv 18-22). The paper upon which it is written is practically worthless. Yet it is used and accepted in the place of money. This is because it is backed by money that has been placed in the bank. Christ’s death was deposited (planned by God) from the very beginning of the world and backed the Old Testament sacrifices. With Christ’s actual death upon the cross, the deposit was released, and all the past checks were honored and paid in full.

The cross is God’s way of saying there is nothing in us worth saving, apart from Christ. These verses point out how the blood of Christ is superior to the blood of animal sacrifices. Jesus shed His blood and gave His life for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to experience spiritual death, eternal separation from God. Because of the shedding of Christ’s blood and His death, He has accomplished what the Old Covenant could not. The Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sin; they merely made covering for sin.

Application

As long as I am still struggling to use my abilities to do something for God it will never be acceptable. I am not indispensable to Him; He is indispensable to me.

Hebrews 9:16-22 (English Standard Version)

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