Hebrews 9:6-10 (NIVUK)
6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings – external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
It can be easy to dismiss the old Jewish traditions and law as human creations, but Hebrews makes it clear that this was not the case. The tabernacle/temple and the rituals involved in its creation, were inspired by the Holy Spirit. We shouldn’t be dismissive in our talk about them as Christians, but see them as gifts God gave to those before us to help them understand their relationship with God. However, we no longer need them, because we have Jesus, our living temple. We come to the Father through him, the one who clear our consciences through his gift of forgiveness.
Father, Son and Spirit, thank you for all the ways you have drawn us to yourself and deepened our understanding and relationship with you. Thank you most of all for the Cross.
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