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Pastor Nathaniel's Blog August 21, 2024
"Trinitarian View in Hebrews 9"
There's a Trinitarian passage in Hebrews 9 that I absolutely love. It is one of hundreds of passages in the Bible that talks about the three persons of the Godhead and their relationships with each other, and it beautifully portrays how the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are involved in our salvation and atonement. But did you know this same Trinitarian passage also highlights the benefits we derive from Jesus' humanity?
Hebrews 9:14 says, "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!" (NIV). The Trinitarian persons are pretty evident in this passage: the blood of Christ obviously refers to Jesus, the eternal Spirit is a reference to the Holy Spirit, and the use of the word "God" suggests the Father is the one who is in mind.
Likewise, the Trinitarian actions in this passage are striking: Christ's blood indicates his death on behalf of sinners, the phrase "through the eternal Spirit" indicates that it is by means of the power and agency of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is able to make this sacrifice for us, and the arresting image of Jesus offering "himself unblemished to God" suggests a deep intimacy between Jesus (the one offering himself), the Holy Spirit (the one through whom Jesus offers himself), and the Father (the one to whom Jesus offers himself and who receives what Jesus offers). These clauses helpfully unpack the benefits we have in salvation and the means by which we receive them. Hebrews 9:14 is very clear that, in Jesus, we have salvation by his blood, the presence of the Holy Spirit in that same atoning work, access to God the Father, the cleansing of our consciences, and the reality of us getting to serve and worship God. That's a lot for which to be grateful! Nevertheless, notice how the passage claims we experience these benefits: by means of the blood of Jesus, the one who makes all of this possible!
The Greek grammar of Hebrews 9:14 emphasizes that Jesus uses his blood to link us to his relationships with the Holy Spirit and the Father, as well as to provide us with cleansing and empowerment for service to God. And this means that Jesus' blood, as a reference to his saving work on our behalf, is also a reference to his humanity for us.
Friends, make no mistake: Jesus' humanity links us with the very life of God that he shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit!
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
