The Efficacy of Christ’s Eternal Redemption

Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb 9:15; 12:24). He represents both God (the offended party) and God’s elect (the offenders), who have been chosen by God for salvation (Rom 11:5–6; 2 Thess 2:13), from before the foundation of the world (Mt 25:34; Eph 1:4–5; Heb 4:3; Rev 13:8; 17:8; 21:27). Jesus, the Son of God, is our great high priest (Heb 4:14). His offering, an atoning sacrifice for sins (Heb 10:12, 26), was presented to God only once, in what is referred to as an eternal redemption (Heb 9:12).

The Messiah, promised throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, arrived in Israel at the fullness of time (Gal 4:4). He was born of a woman, born under the Law, as a prophet, priest, and king. Christ has come as a high priest — better than the types and shadows of the Aaronic priesthood of the tribe of Levi. The priestly order of Melchizedek was only an obscure reference in Genesis 14:18 for the Jews, who were not expecting Messiah to be a priest (Ps 110:4).

What God’s chosen people needed was expiation of sins, reconciliation with Yahweh, and propitiation from the wrath of God because of sins (Rom 3:25; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10). The old covenant system did not provide a permanent solution to their sin problem; but the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5), appointed by God and established by divine oath (Heb 7:28), did execute the better, permanent solution.

The Son of God, who is the Son of Man — like us, yet without sin (Heb 4:15) — offered Himself to God (Heb 7:27; 9:14), as the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29). In this, Jesus was the antitype of Leviticus 16, which revealed the Law of sacrifice for atonement.

The sacerdotal office of our merciful and faithful high priest (Heb 2:17), according to the priesthood of Melchizedek (Gen 14; Ps 110), began during Jesus’ earthly ministry at the time of reformation (Heb 9:10). It continues today in the holiest place of heaven, where the risen and glorified Christ sits at the center of the throne of God (Rev 7:17), at the right hand of majesty (Heb 1:3; 8:1), the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33) and ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25) — His bride (Eph 5:25), His church (Mt 16:18), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16) — from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9). This holy nation of royal priests serves God in Christ with non-bloody sacrifices of worship in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23–24; 1 Pet 2:9).

The dead works of the old economy were as filthy rags in comparison to the perfect work of Christ in the new dispensation (Is 64:6; Heb 6:1; 9:14). As the unblemished Lamb of God (1 Pet 1:19), the blood of Christ is superior to the incessant offerings of animals that temporarily made the Jew ceremonially clean for worship of Yahweh. There was also the matter of conscience, however.

One might be ceremonially clean, but a guilty conscience was ever-present, with no relief from the shame of sin exposed by the Law. The Law brought its charges again and again. There was no rest. Another attempt at obedience was followed by another sacrifice for disobedience…followed by another dead work. Life was a revolving door that presented no way of escape from the treadmill of trying.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest (Heb 9:11), the old things became new and improved. They were perfected and made permanent. Hence, the language of Hebrews helps us to see “better” and “eternal” as markers of the superiority and supremacy of Jesus Christ. This is the whole argument of the book of Hebrews.

The better sacrifice of Jesus Himself cleanses one’s exterior (ceremonial cleansing) and one’s interior (conscience). The permanent state of the sacrifice, offered once but with eternal effect, liberates the Christian to serve and worship God unhindered all day, every day, and in every place. The greater and more perfect tabernacle of heaven is accessible to the saints without interruption or delay (Heb 9:11).

The good things of the new covenant secured by Christ’s perfect work are now and not yet (Heb 9:15; 1 Pet 1:4). The blessings and benefits are above and beyond all we can now think or imagine (Rom 8:18; Col 3:4; 1 Pet 5:1). Believers in Jesus remain in the fallen, sinful world — in order to serve Christ for a season — but the glory to be revealed to us at Christ’s second coming is simply incomprehensible.

The unchanging nature of the immutable, one-time sacrifice for redemption warrants the adjective “eternal.” It stands forever (Heb 10:12). Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, the anointing from God, served the living God, His Father in perfect obedience (Mt 5:17). Jesus always did the Father’s will in a way that pleased His Father (2 Pet 1:17). His sacrifice was acceptable to Yahweh, proved by God raising Jesus from the dead (Acts 17:31), and in giving Him the name above every other name (Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9)

In the same way, those born again of God are filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn 3:1–8; Rom 8:9, 11; Eph 1:13; 1 Pet 1:3), the anointing from God (Lk 3:22; 1 Jn 2:27). We serve Christ, knowing we have the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28; Lk 1:77; Acts 5:31; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; 1 Jn 1:9; 2:12), by Christ’s precious blood of the cross (Col 1:20; 1 Pet 1:19). This blood of the new covenant (Heb 9:20; 12:24), the eternal covenant (Heb 13:20), is forever upon the heavenly mercy seat, that is, the throne of grace (Heb 4:16). Sins are committed by the child of God; and there, in that place, is His blood and His forgiveness…ever-present, forever.

In both His life and His death, Jesus Christ has done the perfect, permanent work of obedience. As the Mediator of the new (eternal) covenant, we have the perfect, permanent benefits of all that He alone has done in our stead and on our behalf. We look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2), as the privileged position (“in Christ”) and singular object of our faith (1 Cor 1:30; 1 Tim 1:14; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 Jn 5:4). Christian trust Christ, being found in Him (Prv 3:5–6; Phil 3:9).

The better hope that does not disappoint, is based on the better promises afforded to us in the new and better covenant, secured by our better high priest and His better sacrifice of Himself — one time, and once for all of God’s elect from around the world and across history. Together, we have been purchased by His blood, a ransom for many from among the great mass of humanity, and a ransom for all of God’s beloved…of which He will lose none of them. Hallelujah! What a redemption! What a Savior! What a High Priest!

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

January 23, 2024

Hebrews 9:11–14