上帝選擇了以流血與赦罪二者發生關聯有祂自己的理由，（許多隱藏的原因，上帝沒有曉諭我們）舊約時代，沒有人可以允准進入至聖所，惟獨一年一次、大祭司獨自進去，從不能不帶著血（9：7）。第12節說用山羊和牛犢的血是很要緊的關鍵；血可以遮蓋大祭司的罪，為自己的過錯獻上，也不用付罪的工價──死亡，如此他才能進入至聖所。上帝是完全聖潔的，在祂面前，罪不能並存。一旦上帝看見了獻祭時獻上的血，就撤銷了「罪的代價──死亡」，而所見到的就是獻祭懇求者的聖潔和得潔淨。

        希伯來書的作者指出另外還有一個問題──所獻的禮物和祭物，就著良心說，都不能叫禮拜的人得以完全。（9：9）「若山羊和公牛的血，並母牛犢的灰，灑在不潔的人身上，而且叫人成聖，身體潔淨。」（9：13）外在顯而易見的事被遮住了，然而內在隱而未現的事怎麼解決呢？

        耶穌適時的於此刻介入需要之中。祂的寶血更能洗淨我們的心，除去我們外在的死行（9：14）。祂在裡面為我們重新塑造了一個新人新心，使我們外在的行為也永遠地被改變了。新造的人能從「死行」中轉回，並且熱心地事奉永生上帝（9：14b）。

        前約顯明出我們的本相，是何等的悲慘可憐，但又不能提供長期、永遠的解救之法。另一方面，新約卻能將我們從罪的刑罰和轄制中釋放出來得自由，帶給人榮耀的盼望，叫人得著所應許永遠的產業（9：15）。

        因著耶穌的救贖，一切都成為可能的了。耶穌在這未世顯現一次，把自己獻為祭，好除掉罪。（9：26）

        主耶穌，您曾呼召我們。現在我們伏在您腳前、敬拜並尊榮您。懇求您，使千千萬萬、更多的同胞能認識您真實的大愛和所成就的大工；使他們能進入並得著您所應許天上那永遠的產業。幫助我們好像從未有過的渴望分享、傳揚您的福音。求您更新我們並更深地將自己獻上給您。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        God, for His own reasons (most of which are unknown to us), chose to link forgiveness of sin with the shedding of blood (v.22). In the Old Testament days, no one was allowed into the Holy of Holies, with the exception of the high priest, who entered only once a year "and never without blood" (v.7). The shed blood "of goats and calves" (v.12) was critical for the covering of the high priest's sins in order for him to enter "the Most Holy Place" without dying himself. God is altogether Holy and will not tolerate sin in His presence. But when He sees the sacrificial blood, He withholds the "wages of sin" and sees holiness in the supplicant.

        But, says the writer of Hebrews, there's a problem — the sacrificial blood of animals is "not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper" (v.9). "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean" (v.13). So the outside is covered, but what about the inside?

        That's where Jesus comes in. His blood cleanses much more than the outer man. His blood cleanses the conscience (v.14). He creates a new person on the inside, whose actions on the outside are forever changed. This new creature is able to turn away from "acts that lead to death" and embrace service to "the living God!" (v.!4b).

        The first covenant showed us what miserable sinners we are, but it gave no long-term relief. The new covenant, on the other hand, sets us free from the penalty and dominance of sin and gives us the glorious hope of an "eternal inheritance" (v.15).

        This is all possible because of Jesus, who "has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (v.26).

        Lord Jesus, You have called all of us. Here we are, at Your feet worshipping You. We ask that millions more people would recognize the fact of Your love and ministry, entering into the eternal inheritance which You have promised. Help us to share Your good news as never before, with a new and deeper commitment.