Hebrews 9

" ⁶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. ⁸ 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 9:6-10

Church was a serious thing back then, a holy and most serious ritual that was to be feared and honored- a stark contrast to how we go to church today. How would you describe our attitude of going to church today? Do we give as much reverence and respect when we prepare for Sundays?

"¹³ 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. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:13-14

Back then it was by human hands that sacrificial altars were set up so that we could repent of our sins- a long and probably messy process every time we wanted to say sorry to God. But through the blood of Christ, all of that was abolished and through Christ we have been cleansed. Now it seems all too easy to apologize. We take it for granted many times.