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. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 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, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. 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. 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.
--Parallel verses:
I Peter 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I love those movies where the heir, living in humble circumstances, finds out they had a rich uncle or great aunt that left them an immense fortune. It is fun to watch their whole world and mindframe change with their newfound wealth and power. Sometimes this is challenging for them to handle, as they become an instant celebrity overnight.
This newfound wealth (inheritance) with God required blood to be shed. It required death. Typically there is a will involved that named the newfound heir the beneficiary of the estate in inheritance situations. This is what the writer of Hebrews is talking about here.
It’s like God had a will for his people, a document providing for our benefit. When Jesus came to earth, his mission was to save us. As a result, a will of sorts was enacted. A provision for our inheritance. Blood came first, the precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ, who died on the cross. Then came both our salvation and our inheritance in the faith.
What is also interesting about this passage, is that it talks about the priests and the temple being but a poor representation of what was to come — God‘s home in heaven. Jesus was a priest of a different lineage. He was not from the Levitical line. Instead, he came in the line of Melchizedek. His priesthood came from God directly. And he had the distinction of already being in heaven first prior to coming to earth. Finally, he ascended into heaven to represent us forever. He was a priest that needed to offer no sacrifice for himself. He is a priest perfectly suited to advocate for our every need.
Lord, thank you that Jesus came and ascended to represent me in heaven. And thank you that you prepared a wonderful inheritance for me. One that exists now, giving me partial access to the riches of God in this life. And the prevailing hope of an eternal life, with full access to the riches of God throughout eternity. I am living a life that’s already won. Praise God — Jesus Christ gave me the victory!
