November 8, 2024 - Hebrews 8-9

“Now the main point of what we are saying is this” (8:1).  The main point . . . that’s an important matter, isn’t it?  When writing a paper, we encourage students to identify, early on, the main point they are making and, then, to wrap up that point in a conclusion.  Seminary students are taught to state their main point or lesson when preaching a sermon.  Sometimes, politicians will say, “Now, let me be absolutely clear . . .” though, often, they are anything but clear and, at the same time, do not really mean what they say.  But we can all agree that main points are important.  They succinctly summarize the message we are trying to get across.  And what is that point?  “Christ has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, and he entered once for all into the most holy place not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, and so he himself secured eternal redemption” (9:11-12).

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;

His the scepter, His the throne.

Alleluia! His the triumph,

His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion

thunder like a mighty flood:

“Jesus out of every nation

has redeemed us by His blood.”   --W. Chatterton Dix (1866)