The Holy Spirit is showing you …

The author is pastorally explaining to a community of believers who feel compelled because of persecution to return to Judaism that there isn’t anything to go back to. At the time of writing the Temple was probably still functioning even after the work of Christ on the cross (which tore the curtain in two). Instead of it being an option to return to the Pastor is saying it continues to be a disappointment because it does not satisfy the longing of our hearts.

^“The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” (Hebrews 9 v 8-10)

The High Priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year on behalf of the people and was careful to follow particular instructions to carry out his duty. Every year it failed to satisfy the needs and the desires of the people. We now see that it was designed to do just that, fail.

The Holy Spirit was declaring:

• There was a better way into the Most Holy Place and it was the way that Jesus took.
• The old way of service had to stop for the new way to commence.
• That the external never deals with the internal state of our soul.
• That the Tabernacle was an illustration of the presence of God being an impossibility.
• The conscience of the High Priest was never cleared and so neither was that of the people.

And for us today?

• There is a better way and it is not ritual, duty, trying to be good, it is Jesus and relationship with Him.
• We cannot try good works and religious duty and at the same time experience the new way.
• No amount of religious duty will deal with our troubled soul.
• Entering into His presence through effort is impossible.
• Only Jesus and His work can clean the inside of our lives.