Hebrews 9:11

Hebrews 9:11

A more perfect Tabernacle

This verse begins with the 3-letter word “But” and what a “But” it is!” The singular most transformative event that has change the entire world and our reason for living as human beings who inhabit it, follows on from this “but.”  Christ has come, He has come as the ultimate High Priest, He came in fulfilment of centuries of Jewish devotion to God and He came to open the way into a Tabernacle that far surpasses any structure made by men and that is sited on planet earth. The Tabernacle that God has instituted, of which the earthly tent was just an imperfect copy, is heavenly and spiritual and, like the Garden of Eden, has been closed to men from the beginning of time. 

Christ the Messiah came as a High Priest, we’ve already established this, but He also came to fulfil that which already existed under the Old Covenant with the Jews, and to be established as High Priest of that which is to come. (many Bible versions and manuscripts use this interpretation).   His sacrificial duties at the cross, were not just in fulfilment of the earthly rituals and religion of the Jews, He also entered and opened the way into a heavenly Tabernacle that is hidden from those who inhabit this world. Hebrews 8:2 calls this “the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by mere human hands.” In this Tabernacle the light of God’s Spirit burns forever, symbolised by the Menorah. The Lord feeds His people with the Bread of life, and the incense of their prayers arises to Him, 24/7. There is no longer a curtain that restricts access to the Most Holy Place, instead we are all granted access to the Seat of God’s Mercy and to the place occupied by the cherubim. The next few verses will unravel these mysteries in detail but let’s just stop and ponder this for a moment.  

The Jews have not been replaced, nor have they ever been second rate participants in God’s plans. They were and are, a shining example to the world, they are the people who were entrusted with His sacred promises and the symbolic faith that screams, to every human being who ever lived, who God is and how He relates to us. Without them, the whole faith would not make sense, they were entrusted with protecting and guarding the Scriptures and God’s way of salvation, for centuries. 

In addition, we who believe and who are saved through the blood of Christ ought to fully appreciate who we are and what we have been given. This is NOT religion, this is the one, true way in which the Creator God has chosen to identify Himself with men. And we are the beneficiaries. We have been invited from amongst the masses of humanity, to share in this glorious prospect, Christ Jesus gave Himself for us, the reality of the heavenly Tabernacle is already ours, and we are entitled to serve our High Priest before God and on behalf of the troubled people who surround us. Hallelujah! 

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