HEBREWS 9:15–22 — WHY WAS JESUS' DEATH NECESSARY FOR THE NEW COVENANT?

Hebrews — The New Covenant and Christ's Sacrifice

Jesus is our High Priest. But why did establishing the New Covenant require His death?

INTRODUCTION — WHY DID WE NEED A MEDIATOR?

In Hebrews 9:11–14, we learned that Jesus Christ entered the greater sanctuary through His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption.

Unlike the sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant, His sacrifice does not need to be repeated.

His blood can cleanse our conscience so that we may serve the living God.

But that raises another question.

Why was His death necessary?

Could God not simply announce that our sins were forgiven?

Why did the Old Covenant involve blood? And why does the New Covenant depend upon the death of Jesus Christ?

Hebrews 9:15–22 begins answering these questions.

Read the passage before continuing.

1. JESUS IS THE MEDIATOR WE NEEDED — HEBREWS 9:15

A mediator stands between parties to establish or maintain a relationship.

Under the Old Covenant, Moses served as mediator between God and Israel (Galatians 3:19).

But the covenant established through Moses could not provide the complete redemption sinners needed.

Now Jesus Christ is the mediator of a New Covenant.

Hebrews 8:6 has already described Him as the mediator of a better covenant established upon better promises.

What makes His mediation different?

Jesus did more than deliver God's message. He gave His life to accomplish redemption.

Hebrews 9:15 says His death provides redemption from transgressions committed under the first covenant.

That is important.

The sacrifices offered under the Law of Moses were commanded by God. But their effectiveness was not independent of Christ's sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:4 explains that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins.

The death of Jesus provides the redemption those sacrifices could never finally accomplish.

What About Those Who Lived Before Christ?

Hebrews 9:15 specifically mentions transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Christ's sacrifice was not merely for people who lived after His death.

It also provided the basis for redemption from sins committed under the former covenant.

Romans 3:25–26 similarly explains that God had passed over previously committed sins in His forbearance and that Christ's sacrifice demonstrated His righteousness.

The cross was not God's second attempt to solve the problem of sin.

It was central to His purpose of redemption.

What Is the Promised Eternal Inheritance?

Hebrews 9:15 says that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

Israel received promises involving the land of Canaan, but the inheritance described in Hebrews reaches beyond an earthly possession.

Hebrews 3–4 speaks of a greater rest.

Hebrews 11:13–16 describes faithful people who looked for a better, heavenly country.

Hebrews 12:28 speaks of receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

The inheritance promised through Christ is lasting because it rests upon His completed redemptive work.

2. WHY DOES THE WRITER DISCUSS DEATH AND A COVENANT? — HEBREWS 9:16–17

These two verses have produced considerable discussion among Bible students.

The Greek word diathēkē can refer to a covenant and can also be used for a will or testament.

Some translations use the language of a will in verses 16–17.

A will ordinarily takes effect upon the death of the person who made it.

On that understanding, the writer uses an illustration familiar to his readers: death is necessary before an inheritance can be received under a will.

Other interpreters understand the verses in connection with covenant-making ceremonies, where death and sacrifice were involved in establishing the covenant.

Which Meaning Fits the Passage?

We should examine the surrounding verses.

Verse 15 speaks of the New Covenant.

Verses 18–20 describe the inauguration of the first covenant with blood.

The writer is connecting death, covenant, inheritance, and the shedding of blood.

Whether verses 16–17 temporarily use the familiar example of a will or continue the covenant imagery, the larger argument is unmistakable.

The New Covenant and its promised inheritance are inseparably connected with the death of Jesus Christ.

We should not insist that the passage answers every question about why God chose this means of redemption.

But we can say what Hebrews teaches: Christ's death was necessary to accomplish the redemption and covenant blessings being discussed.

3. WHY WAS THE FIRST COVENANT INAUGURATED WITH BLOOD? — HEBREWS 9:18–20

The writer now turns to the covenant God established with Israel.

He says that even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.

To understand his point, read Exodus 24:3–8.

Moses told the people the words and ordinances of the Lord.

The people agreed to obey.

Moses then arranged sacrifices, collected the blood, and sprinkled blood upon the altar and the people.

He declared that this was the blood of the covenant God had made with them.

Why Was Blood Used?

Leviticus 17:11 explains that the life of the flesh is in the blood and that God had given blood upon the altar to make atonement.

The shedding of blood represented the giving of life.

The covenant was not merely an agreement written on a page.

It established a solemn relationship with God.

And blood was involved in its inauguration.

Does Hebrews Describe the Ceremony Exactly as Exodus Does?

Hebrews 9:19 mentions water, scarlet wool, hyssop, and the sprinkling of the book as well as the people.

Exodus 24 specifically records the sprinkling of the altar and the people, but does not mention every detail included in Hebrews.

Some of the additional details resemble purification ceremonies elsewhere in the Law of Moses.

We should recognize this difference rather than pretend the two accounts use identical descriptions.

The writer's central argument does not depend upon resolving every historical detail.

The first covenant was inaugurated with blood.

And that prepares us to understand the significance of Christ's blood in establishing the New Covenant.

Remember the Words of Jesus

When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, He spoke of His blood in connection with the covenant.

Matthew 26:28 records Him describing His blood as poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 22:20 identifies the cup with the New Covenant in His blood.

Those words recall the covenant ceremony described in Exodus 24.

But Jesus was not presenting the blood of an animal.

He was preparing to give His own life.

4. WHY WERE THE TABERNACLE AND ITS FURNISHINGS SPRINKLED? — HEBREWS 9:21

The writer says that Moses also sprinkled the tabernacle and the vessels used in its service with blood.

The point concerns purification and dedication for service to God.

The sanctuary and its furnishings belonged to a system in which holiness and cleansing were emphasized.

They were not ordinary objects to be used however people wished.

They were associated with approaching and serving the holy God.

An Important Historical Detail

Exodus 24 describes the inauguration of the covenant before the tabernacle was constructed.

The tabernacle was erected later, as recorded in Exodus 40.

The Law also describes purification and consecration ceremonies involving blood and anointing.

Hebrews brings these covenant and sanctuary ceremonies together to make its theological point.

The writer is emphasizing the importance of purification through blood throughout the former system.

We should not read verse 21 as though every ceremony occurred on the same day.

5. WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS — HEBREWS 9:22

This is one of the best-known statements in Hebrews.

But it must be read carefully.

The verse begins by saying that almost everything is purified with blood under the Law.

Why does the writer say “almost”?

Because not every purification ceremony under the Law required blood.

Numbers 19, for example, describes purification involving water mixed with the ashes of a heifer.

Leviticus 5:11–13 provides for a poor person's sin offering of fine flour when the person could not afford an animal.

The writer knows the Law contains different purification provisions.

He is not making an absolute statement that every ceremony involved blood.

Then What Does He Mean About Forgiveness?

He is emphasizing the central place of sacrificial death in the covenant system and, above all, in the redemption accomplished by Christ.

The New Covenant was not established merely by Jesus teaching good moral principles.

Nor was forgiveness accomplished simply by His setting a good example.

Jesus gave His life for our sins.

Hebrews 9:26 says He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Hebrews 10:12 says He offered one sacrifice for sins for all time.

And Hebrews 10:18 explains that where forgiveness has been accomplished, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Could God Have Forgiven Without Blood?

This question deserves care.

Scripture tells us what God has done and what His sacrifice accomplishes. It does not invite us to declare every alternative God could or could not have chosen.

We do know that God is holy, righteous, merciful, and faithful.

We know that sin is serious.

And we know that Jesus Christ willingly offered Himself to accomplish our redemption.

Romans 3:25–26 connects Christ's sacrifice with God's righteousness and His justification of sinners.

Hebrews 9 connects Christ's death with the establishment of the New Covenant and the forgiveness of sins.

Rather than speculating about what God might have done, we should concentrate upon what He has revealed.

God has provided forgiveness through the sacrifice of His Son.

That is the message Hebrews wants us to understand.

GOING DEEPER — WHAT DOES CHRIST'S DEATH ACCOMPLISH?

6. WAS THE OLD COVENANT A FAILURE?

No.

God gave Israel the covenant, priesthood, sacrifices, and tabernacle for His purposes.

The problem was not that God had made a mistake.

The former arrangement was never intended to be the final means of redemption.

Hebrews 8:7–13 explains why a New Covenant was promised.

Hebrews 10:1 describes the Law as having a shadow of the good things to come rather than the complete reality.

The sacrifices taught Israel about sin, holiness, atonement, and the need to approach God according to His instructions.

But they could not perfect the worshiper's conscience.

Jesus accomplished what those sacrifices could not.

The Old Covenant prepared the way. The New Covenant brings the promised fulfillment in Christ.

7. DID CHRIST'S DEATH BENEFIT ONLY PEOPLE LIVING AFTER THE CROSS?

No.

Hebrews 9:15 expressly includes redemption from transgressions committed under the first covenant.

That does not mean people under the Old Covenant already understood every detail of Christ's future sacrifice.

It means the effectiveness of redemption rests upon what Jesus accomplished.

The sacrifices were repeated throughout Israel's history.

But the sacrifice of Jesus was offered once.

The writer will return to this point in Hebrews 9:25–28.

8. WHY IS JESUS THE ONLY MEDIATOR WE NEED?

Hebrews has already shown that Jesus is a greater High Priest.

He is sinless.

He lives forever.

He offered Himself.

And He ministers in God's presence on our behalf.

First Timothy 2:5–6 says there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

This does not diminish the importance of Christians praying for one another or helping one another spiritually.

But no other human being can accomplish the redemption Jesus accomplished.

Our confidence rests upon Christ's sacrifice and His continuing ministry—not upon the goodness or authority of another human mediator.

9. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

The purpose of Christ's death was not merely to replace one set of ceremonies with another.

It was to accomplish redemption and establish the New Covenant.

Hebrews 8:10–12 describes the blessings of that covenant:

God's laws written upon the hearts and minds of His people.

A relationship in which they know Him.

And the promise that He will remember their sins no more.

Hebrews 9:14 adds that Christ cleanses our conscience so that we may serve the living God.

Forgiveness brings us into a new relationship with God.

We are not simply declared ceremonially clean.

We are invited to draw near to Him through Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION — WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?

Hebrews 9:15–22 brings together several important truths.

Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant.

His death accomplished redemption from sins committed under the former covenant.

The first covenant was inaugurated with blood.

And the writer explains the significance of blood and sacrificial death in the forgiveness God has provided.

The lesson is not that God delights in death or suffering.

It is that sin is serious, redemption is costly, and Jesus willingly gave Himself for us.

The Old Covenant involved repeated sacrifices. The New Covenant rests upon the sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

And that leads directly into our next study.

Hebrews 9:23–28 will explain why Jesus did not need to offer Himself repeatedly.

Before continuing, read Hebrews 9:15–22 once more.

Ask yourself:

If Christ has accomplished the redemption I need, where should I place my confidence?

READ FIRST. CONCLUDE LATER.

CONTINUE EXPLORING SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 9:11–14 — What Could the Blood of Christ Do That Animal Sacrifices Could Not?

https://text-b4-tradition.com/9-11-14-hebrews

Hebrews 8:1–13 — What Is the New Covenant?

https://text-b4-tradition.com/8-1-13-hebrews

Hebrews 9:1–10 — Did God Give Israel a Picture of Something Greater?

https://text-b4-tradition.com/9-1-10-hebrews

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