Hebrews 9:18

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Context:The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were tempted to turn back to their old religious practices. The author of Hebrews presents Jesus Christ as the superior high priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, once and for all, to establish a new covenant between God and humanity.

The First Testament:The “first testament” referred to in this verse is the Old Covenant or the Mosaic Law, which was given by God to the Israelites through Moses. The Old Covenant consisted of various laws, rituals, and sacrifices that the Israelites were required to observe in order to maintain a right relationship with God.

Dedication without Blood:The author of Hebrews highlights the importance of blood in the establishment of the Old Covenant. The shedding of blood was central to the dedication and initiation of the Old Covenant. For example, when Moses received the Law from God on Mount Sinai, he sprinkled the blood of sacrificial animals on the people and the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:3-8). This act symbolized the people’s commitment to obeying the Law and their identification with the covenant.

Significance of Blood:Blood played a crucial role in the Old Testament sacrificial system. It was considered a symbol of life and had a purifying effect. The shedding of blood in sacrifices served as a temporary atonement for sins, providing forgiveness and reconciliation between God and His people. However, these sacrifices were only a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that would be made by Jesus Christ.

The Superiority of Christ’s Sacrifice:The author of Hebrews emphasizes that the first testament or Old Covenant was insufficient in itself to bring about true forgiveness and eternal salvation. The sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant could not permanently cleanse people from their sins but only served as a temporary provision until the coming of Jesus Christ.

The New Covenant:The verse points to the need for a new covenant, one that would be dedicated with a greater sacrifice. Hebrews later explains that Jesus Christ, as the perfect High Priest, offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. His shed blood provides complete forgiveness of sins and establishes a new covenant that is superior to the Old Covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15).

Application:Hebrews 9:18 reminds us of the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and the superiority of the New Covenant. It highlights the essential role of blood in the forgiveness of sins and points to the all‑sufficient sacrifice of Christ. As believers, we are no longer under the Old Covenant with its rituals and sacrifices but are now beneficiaries of the New Covenant, sealed with the precious blood of Jesus.

• Overall, Hebrews 9:18 emphasizes the insufficiency of the first testament and the need for a new and superior covenant established through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It invites us to place our faith in Jesus, who offers complete forgiveness and eternal salvation through His shed blood.