For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. 16 Now where there is a will, the death of the testator must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death; it has no force while the testator is alive. 18 Thus not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 When every commandment had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves [and goats], together with water and crimson wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is ‘the blood of the covenant which God has enjoined upon you.’” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled also the tabernacle and all the vessels of worship with blood. 22 According to the law almost everything is purified by blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified by these rites, but the heavenly things themselves by better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. 25 Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; 26 if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 27 Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, 28 so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.
Christ has a unique role as the one who establishes a direct relationship between God and humanity under the new covenant, surpassing the old covenant mediated through Moses because the Mosaic covenant could not fully atone for sin. Christ’s death is necessary to deliver all from transgressions, including the transgressions of believers who followed the law in anticipation of this ultimate fulfillment (cf. Hebrews 9:12-14). Christ inaugurated the new covenant with his sacrificial death so that the faithful in every generation may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. Christ’s death is necessary to enact the new covenant so that the promises of the new covenant can be realized, just as a will is enacted upon the testator’s death.
The author refers to Moses sprinkling blood (Ex. 24:6-8), which signifies the sealing of the covenant with Israel, where blood was a sacred symbol of life and purification. Blood, which represents life (Lev. 17:11), is essential for purification and forgiveness. The earthly tabernacle and sacrificial practices were symbolic representations of divine realities, “copies of heavenly things”, but the true heavenly sanctuary requires a “better” sacrifice, Christ’s own life. Unlike the high priest who entered the earthly sanctuary to intercede for Israel, Jesus entered the actual presence of God, making intercession directly for mankind (cf. Ex. 25:40).
Unlike the high priests who annually offered sacrifices for Israel, Christ’s single sacrifice is efficacious “once for all.” It marks the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan and the beginning of the end times. In God’s plan for humanity, death occurs once and then there is a moment of divine reckoning where one’s eternal destiny is determined (Daniel 12:2; Mt. 25:31–46). Christ suffered for the salvation of others. His unrepeatable, unique sacrifice accomplishes the complete removal of sin’s penalty for all who accept his salvation. Christ’s atoning work on the cross is complete and final; there will be no further sacrifice for sins. At his anticipated return, the Parousia, he will bring the promise of final salvation to completion for those who have accepted him and remained faithful (cf. 1 Thess. 1:9-10).
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the mediator of the new and eternal covenant, who offered yourself once for the forgiveness of sins. By your precious blood, you have opened the way to everlasting life. Grant us, who await your glorious return, the grace to live faithfully in your love and to receive the promised inheritance of salvation. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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