Sermon Synopsis
Hebrews 9:15–28 presents Jesus Christ as infinitely superior in every aspect of God’s redemptive plan. He is the Better Mediator who brings believers into God’s family and secures their eternal inheritance, the Better Sacrifice whose once-for-all offering completely removes the guilt of sin, and the Better Hope whose promised return gives believers confidence and purpose. In contrast to the temporary and repeated provisions of the Old Covenant, Christ’s finished work is complete, final, and eternally effective. This passage calls believers to trust Christ alone, rest fully in His accomplished salvation, and live each day in eager expectation of His glorious return.
Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.
Jesus Is Better
Hebrews 9:15–28
The Better Mediator, The Better Sacrifice, and The Better Hope
Introduction
Good morning.
I couldn’t help but notice this morning that the brothers have been sharing many thoughts that are very much related to what I am going to speak about today. So, well done, brothers! You must have been reading Hebrews 9 throughout the week!
There is quite a bit that we need to cover this morning. As we have been considering the book of Hebrews, we have already learned in the earlier chapters that Jesus is better than the angels, better than Moses, and that His superior High Priestly ministry comes from the order of Melchizedek.
The writer continues to develop this argument in Hebrews chapter 8.
You know, whenever you watch a television miniseries, there is usually a section called “Previously…” that reminds you what has happened before. So, before we come to today’s passage, let us briefly review what we have already covered.
Previously in Hebrews Chapter 8
There were essentially two major comparisons.
The first comparison was between two high priests.
Under the Old Testament, the earthly high priest had a limited ministry. His priesthood was temporary, and his ability to mediate for mankind was limited.
In contrast, our Lord Jesus Christ is the heavenly High Priest, seated at the right hand of God. Hebrews presents the earthly priesthood merely as a copy and shadow of the superior priesthood of Christ.
The second comparison was between two covenants.
The first was the Mosaic Covenant.
Then came the New Covenant, instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ. His coming rendered the first covenant obsolete.
As Hebrews tells us, what is obsolete is ready to vanish away.
Last week, our brother Johnson gave us a detailed overview of the first half of Hebrews chapter 9. He explained the contrast between the first tabernacle and the greater, more perfect tabernacle.
The earthly tabernacle was only a shadow—a pattern pointing forward to the true heavenly reality. It reflected what already existed in heaven.
Of course, none of us knows exactly what the true heavenly tabernacle looks like until we are there ourselves. One day we shall find out.
Again, the earthly tabernacle was only a copy of the heavenly reality.
We also considered the two different kinds of blood mentioned in Hebrews 9:12–14.
On the one hand was the blood of animals.
Animal blood could never fully satisfy the conscience of mankind. It could only bring ceremonial purification.
By contrast, the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely greater.
“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Animal sacrifices were always temporary.
Christ’s sacrifice is eternal.
Before we continue, let us commit this time to the Lord.
Opening Prayer
Father, we thank You for this opportunity to contemplate the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we continue our study of the book of Hebrews, open our hearts to appreciate more deeply all that Christ has accomplished for us and the greatness of the salvation He has purchased with His own blood.
As we consider the second half of Hebrews chapter 9 today, we pray that You would open our eyes and prepare our hearts to behold the wondrous truths of Your Word.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Scripture Reading — Hebrews 9:15–28
(Hebrews 9:15–22 is read.)
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…
…
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
(Hebrews 9:23–28 is read.)
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.
…
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.
May God bless the public reading of His Word.
Jesus Is Better
If you look carefully at Hebrews chapters 8 and 9, it is almost as though the writer places two pictures side by side.
He continually contrasts the earthly with the heavenly.
He compares the first covenant with the new covenant.
He compares the earthly priest with the heavenly High Priest.
When you place these side by side, one truth becomes unmistakably clear:
One is better than the other.
Jesus Christ stands above every comparison.
Throughout Hebrews, the writer takes great care to highlight these contrasts:
In this second half of Hebrews chapter 9, I would like us to consider three great truths.
Verse 15 serves as the transition between the two sections of Hebrews chapter 9.
It says:
“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.”
Let me begin with a simple illustration.
Imagine a young boy playing with his football in the front yard.
Not because it is World Cup season—but simply because he enjoys kicking the ball around.
In front of him are a parked car and a motorcycle.
The space between them looks almost exactly like the width of a goalpost.
Naturally, the boy thinks to himself,
“I can score through there.”
So he kicks the ball.
Unfortunately, he forgets that the motorcycle has its handlebar sticking out.
The ball strikes the handlebar, ricochets, smashes into the neighbour’s windscreen, and topples the motorcycle over.
The windscreen cracks.
The motorcycle falls.
The boy is horrified.
He knows both the car and motorcycle belong to the neighbour.
Soon enough, the angry neighbour comes rushing out.
“You are going to pay for this!”
Thankfully, the boy’s father comes outside.
He says,
“Don’t worry, son. Let me handle this.”
The father speaks to the neighbour.
He pays for all the repairs.
He settles the matter completely.
He absorbs the cost himself.
The neighbour’s anger is satisfied.
Then the father turns to his son and says,
“I have only one condition.
As long as the car and motorcycle are there, don’t play football in the front yard anymore.”
The father not only paid the price.
He also became the mediator between the angry neighbour and his son.
That leads us to ask:
What is a mediator?
The Greek word refers to one who stands between two parties.
He is a go-between.
He establishes peace.
He ratifies an agreement.
One important point we should remember is this:
A biblical mediator is not a negotiator.
Sometimes human mediators become negotiators.
They ask one party to compromise a little, and the other party to compromise a little, until both sides meet in the middle.
But Jesus does not mediate in that way.
God does not compromise His holiness.
The priestly work of Christ is not about persuading God to lower His standards.
Instead, Jesus became our mediator so that we might come to God on God’s terms.
The Old Covenant was established on God’s terms at Mount Sinai.
The New Covenant is also established on God’s terms—but now through grace.
Because Christ has mediated for us, we are able to enjoy God’s blessings, God’s acceptance, and God’s security under this New Covenant.
Jesus did not negotiate our sins away.
He bore them.
He carried the full penalty of our sins upon the cross.
He is the only bridge between God and man.
As 1 Timothy 2:5 reminds us,
“There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
How real is this truth in your own life?
Do you truly live as though Jesus Christ is your Mediator?
Hebrews 8:6 tells us:
“Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant He mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”
How wonderful it is that we have Someone continually mediating for us before the Father.
Earlier this morning we were reminded of the blessings we enjoy as children of God. Hebrews 9:15 tells us:
“…so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.”
Notice that phrase: those who are called.
The Greek word kaleō means much more than simply calling someone’s attention. It carries the idea of being called by name. God knows His people personally. He calls us individually, and He calls us into His family.
What an incredible privilege it is to be called the children of God.
Our Eternal Inheritance
In the Roman world, adoption was a very significant institution.
Because of high mortality rates, many families had no heir. When someone was adopted, that adopted child received every legal privilege of a natural-born son. He became a legitimate heir with full rights to the inheritance.
That picture helps us understand what God has done for us.
When God calls us, He adopts us into His family.
The Spirit who adopts us into God’s family gives us the right to become His children. He gives us the privilege of calling God, “Abba, Father.”
Isn’t that wonderful?
The Spirit Himself bears witness that we belong to God.
When we are adopted as His children, we become heirs of God and fellow heirs with Jesus Christ.
Do we truly appreciate the weight of what it means to be adopted into God’s family?
Unless we are adopted as God’s children, we have no claim upon the eternal inheritance.
That is the logic of Hebrews 9:15.
God adopts us into His family so that we may rightly receive the inheritance He has promised.
Sometimes we pass over this truth too quickly.
We simply say, “Yes, I am a child of God.”
But do we stop to think what that really means?
To be God’s child means we have been made legitimate heirs of His eternal inheritance.
What an extraordinary privilege.
A Devotional Pause
Allow me to pause for a moment.
Jesus is our Mediator.
He is the only bridge between us and the Father.
He built that bridge entirely through His obedience to the Father’s will.
Have you personally come to God through Christ alone?
Or are you still trying to do things in your own wisdom and strength?
Have you forgotten that you have been called to an eternal inheritance?
Have you forgotten that there is a Better Mediator who continually intercedes for those who belong to Him?
I know that many times I try to do things in my own strength.
In moments of desperation, I can easily leave God out of my plans.
Yet this passage reminds me that we have a Mediator who continually represents us before the Father.
We do not have to carry every burden ourselves.
Perhaps you are carrying a burden today.
Perhaps it is a sin you cannot seem to let go.
Perhaps it is a habit that continues to trouble you.
Remember this:
Jesus has gone before us.
He is seated at the right hand of God.
He is in the very presence of God, continually mediating for us.
What wonderful thoughts these are.
We now come to what is really the centre of this passage.
The second great truth is the Better Sacrifice.
Someone once remarked to me,
“Christianity is all about blood.”
In one sense, that is true.
The Old Testament speaks constantly about the blood of animals.
The New Testament continually points us to the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yet Christ’s blood is entirely different.
Earlier we saw the contrast between animal blood and the blood of Christ.
Animal blood could never give life.
But the blood of Christ gives eternal life.
Hebrews 9:22 tells us:
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Some Bible translations simply say,
“There is no remission.”
A Testament Requires Death
Earlier in the passage we are also told that a will only comes into effect when someone dies.
The words testament, covenant, and will are closely related in this passage. Different Bible translations may use different terms, but the principle remains the same.
A will has no legal force while the person who made it is still alive.
Someone has to die before its provisions can be enforced.
I remember hearing about someone who approached his parents and said,
“Dad… Mum… perhaps you could transfer the house to me now, and we’ll settle everything else after you pass away.”
That was certainly a very bold request!
It reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son.
The younger son came to his father and said,
“Give me my share of the inheritance.”
That was an incredibly daring thing to ask.
Yet the father divided the estate and gave the younger son his portion.
We all know what happened afterwards.
The son immediately squandered everything.
There is wisdom in this lesson.
Parents, perhaps don’t give away your inheritance too quickly before you die!
The First Covenant Was Ratified by Blood
Hebrews reminds us that even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood.
Moses sprinkled blood upon the scroll, upon the people, upon the tabernacle, and upon the vessels used in worship.
Blood sealed God’s covenant.
Yet despite all those sacrifices, the blood of animals could never cleanse the human conscience.
Year after year, the priests had to repeat the same sacrifices.
Every year the high priest entered the Most Holy Place again.
One almost wonders whether he thought to himself,
“I hope I survive this year too.”
The sacrifices never truly ended.
God’s Economy Allows No Alternative
In God’s economy of salvation, there is no alternative.
God’s law is perfectly clear.
Forgiveness can only come through the shedding of blood.
There is no other way.
That is true in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood so that the New Covenant could be ratified by a far better sacrifice.
Christ entered not into an earthly sanctuary, but into heaven itself.
The earthly tabernacle was only a copy.
The heavenly sanctuary is the reality.
There, Christ presented Himself before God on our behalf.
His blood is pure.
His sacrifice is without blemish.
His offering perfectly satisfies all that God requires.
It is the final and perfect sacrifice.
Three Ways Christ’s Sacrifice Is Superior
The sacrifice of Christ is superior in three decisive ways.
First, His sacrifice was offered once for all.
Unlike the Old Testament priests, Jesus does not need to offer Himself repeatedly.
The priests sacrificed continually.
Year after year.
Day after day.
Some have estimated that from the institution of the Mosaic Covenant until the days of Christ, well over a million animals were sacrificed.
Even during the days of Herod’s Temple, so many animals were offered that elaborate drainage systems were needed to carry away the blood.
Yet Jesus only needed to offer Himself once.
One sacrifice.
For all believers.
For all time.
Second, Christ ministers in the true heavenly sanctuary.
The earthly tabernacle was never the ultimate reality.
It was a copy.
A shadow.
A preview of what already existed in heaven.
As an architect, I often think about scale models.
Before constructing a building, we build a model.
The model helps the client visualise the finished building.
But once the real building stands, no one mistakes the model for reality.
The tabernacle served exactly that purpose.
It pointed beyond itself to the true heavenly sanctuary where Christ now ministers.
Third, Christ’s sacrifice was voluntary.
Jesus was not compelled.
He was not merely a victim of circumstances.
He willingly laid down His life.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was a willing Saviour.
Our debt has now been paid.
Completely.
Finally.
Irrevocably.
Colossians 2:13–14 reminds us:
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses… God made alive together with Him… having forgiven us all our trespasses… cancelling the record of debt that stood against us… This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
The blood of Christ is not a down payment.
It is full settlement.
Brothers and sisters, every time we gather around the Lord’s Table, may we better appreciate how precious the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ truly is.
Another Devotional Pause
The cross is not a symbol of partial payment.
It is the receipt of full settlement.
The repeated sacrifices under the Old Covenant constantly reminded God’s people that the debt was never fully cleared.
But Christ’s one sacrifice declares forever:
“It is finished.”
Our debt has been settled once and for all.
If you are in Christ, you carry no outstanding spiritual debt before God.
How wonderful is that privilege.
III. The Better Hope
The final truth in this passage is the Better Hope.
Hebrews 9:28 says:
“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.”
The writer now brings us to a very sobering conclusion by drawing two parallel certainties.
The first is the certainty of death.
The second is the certainty of judgment.
These are appointments that every one of us must keep.
One Life, One Death, One Judgment
Today we often hear the expression, “YOLO”—You Only Live Once.
People use it to justify all sorts of things.
“Go and eat that expensive meal.”
“Go and enjoy yourself.”
“Take the trip.”
“You only live once.”
But Hebrews presents a much more sobering reality.
Yes, we only live once.
And we only die once.
Verse 27 tells us:
“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
There is no second chance after death.
One life.
One death.
One judgment.
The important question is this:
Will you die as a believer or as an unbeliever?
That is a question every one of us must answer.
When your life comes to an end, will you stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Christ, or will you stand before Him in your own righteousness?
There Is No Reincarnation
Many religions teach reincarnation.
The idea is that life is recycled repeatedly.
You die.
You return.
You live another life.
Some even suggest that you may return in another form depending on how you lived previously.
But Hebrews leaves no room for such teaching.
“It is appointed for man to die once.”
Not many times.
Once.
The Bible consistently teaches that every person lives one earthly life before standing before God.
Elsewhere in Scripture we learn that there are two future judgments.
For believers, there is the Judgment Seat of Christ, where there is no condemnation, but where our lives and service will be evaluated.
For unbelievers, there is the Great White Throne Judgment, which leads to eternal condemnation.
We do not have time to dwell on these passages today, but Hebrews simply reminds us that judgment is certain.
Two Appearings of Christ
The passage also speaks of two appearings of Christ.
The first appearing took place about two thousand years ago.
He came to bear our sins.
He appeared to put away sin through the sacrifice of Himself.
But Christ will appear a second time.
This time He is not coming to deal with sin.
That work has already been completed.
Instead, He is coming to bring salvation to its full completion for those who are eagerly waiting for Him.
He will save us from the very presence of sin.
He will consummate His Church.
He will glorify our bodies.
He will bring His work of redemption to its glorious completion.
One thing is absolutely certain.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will come again.
Are You Eagerly Waiting for Him?
I came across an interesting painting recently.
The part that captured my attention was not so much what was happening in the sky, but what was happening on the ground.
Most of the people in the picture were simply going about their daily lives.
Life carried on as though nothing extraordinary was about to happen.
But over in one corner were two people.
One was praying earnestly.
The other was looking upward, watching and waiting for the Lord’s return.
The artist seemed to suggest that only a very small number were truly expecting Christ to come.
That made me stop and think.
Which group do we belong to?
Even among Christians, this is an important question.
Are we eagerly waiting for the Lord?
When you wake up tomorrow morning, what occupies your mind?
Are you living today as someone who truly believes that Christ could return?
The return of Christ is not merely a doctrine.
It shapes the way we live.
It shapes our priorities.
It shapes our obedience.
Acts 1:11 reminds us:
“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Whether we are discussing His glorious return or the details surrounding that future event, one truth remains beyond question:
He is coming again.
The only question is:
Are we ready?
Conclusion
This morning we have considered three great truths from Hebrews chapter 9.
Therefore, let us come to God through Christ alone.
There is no other mediator.
There is no other way.
There is no other bridge between sinful man and a holy God.
Let us rest confidently in His finished work.
His blood has completely paid for our sins.
There is nothing left for us to add.
Let us eagerly await His return.
Everything we anticipate as believers flows from the once-for-all sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Final Reflection
I would like to end with one final picture.
The question is:
What does the Better Sacrifice look like to you today?
When an artist paints a picture, he does not usually explain every detail.
Much is left for the viewer to reflect upon.
That is what makes great art.
This painting shows a lamb surrounded by seven wolves.
Look carefully at the face of the lamb.
There is remarkable calmness.
There is peace.
There is rest.
Even while surrounded by danger, the lamb remains perfectly composed.
Notice the lips of the lamb.
They are closed.
Does that not remind us of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Though He endured suffering and persecution, He remained silent before His accusers.
The lamb’s wool is spotless and white.
It speaks of purity.
Behind the lamb is a golden halo.
Even more striking are the eyes of the wolves.
Within their eyes is reflected the light of the lamb.
To me, that is a beautiful picture of grace.
No matter how sinful this world becomes, no matter how much people try to deny God or turn away from Him, His grace continues to confront them.
The sacrifice of the Lamb reveals the grace of God.
Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us the ability to turn to Him.
My prayer is that each one of us will leave today with a deeper appreciation of the Better Sacrifice that our Lord Jesus Christ has made for us.
May God bless you all.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Father, we thank You for reminding us today of the greatness of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We thank You that He willingly emptied Himself, came from heaven, and humbled Himself to become man.
No wonder John the Baptist declared,
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
No one else could accomplish what Christ has done.
Only the pure and unblemished Lamb of God could willingly die upon the cross to take away the sins of the world.
Lord, as we reflect upon the beauty of Christ’s life and His perfect sacrifice, may it continue to inspire us to love You more and to live faithfully for You.
We also look forward to Your return.
Come, Lord Jesus.
We eagerly await that glorious day.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.