Hebrews 9 & the will that your name MIGHT be on...
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 14
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 15
Hebrews 9:11-28
The Main Message: Jesus' death was the one-time, perfect sacrifice that made the New Covenant a reality, guaranteeing a final and complete inheritance of salvation for everyone who trusts in Him.
Welcome to YourJesusJourney.com! Have you ever secretly wished that a long-lost, incredibly wealthy relative would call out of the blue to tell you they've left you a massive inheritance? Most of us have had that daydream. Well, here's a reality check that's better than any fantasy: If you have committed to trust and follow Jesus, you have already been named as a beneficiary in the most important will ever written, with the greatest inheritance ever offered. Today, we're going to dive into the details of that will. 🚀
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews 9:11-28 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: Hebrews 9:11-28
Hebrews 9:11-28 is a pivotal passage that zeroes in on the finality and effectiveness of Jesus' sacrifice. While we've previously explored Jesus as our great high priest and the contrast between the earthly and heavenly tabernacles, this section introduces a powerful new concept: the legal and cultural idea of a will or testament.
To fully grasp the author's argument, we need to understand the cultural context of a will in the Roman world. A will was a legal document that distributed a person’s inheritance after their death. In that era, the will was not a simple suggestion; it was a legally binding document. The author of Hebrews uses this familiar concept to explain how the New Covenant, or "new testament," became active. As N.T. Wright notes in "Hebrews for Everyone," this is a brilliant rhetorical move. It connects a common, everyday legal reality to a profound theological truth.
The author makes a striking point in verses 16-17: "For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive." This is the key. The Old Covenant, ratified with the blood of animals, was a temporary agreement. But the New Covenant, with its promise of a heavenly inheritance and eternal life, required a different kind of ratification—it required a death.
Jesus's death on the cross was not just a tragic event; it was the essential, legal act that made the New Covenant binding and accessible to us. He is not only the high priest but also the one who, through His death, established the terms of our inheritance. The author is making it clear that our spiritual inheritance—eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and access to God—is a gift made possible by Christ's death.
The team from Walkingthetext.com emphasizes that this is why the sacrifices in the Old Covenant were a shadow of things to come. They were a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that would come in Jesus. The blood of bulls and goats could never truly secure the inheritance because it wasn't the blood of the one making the will. The New Covenant, however, is sealed with Jesus' own blood.
The final verses of this chapter remind us of the certainty of Christ's return. Just as the high priest would reappear from the Holy of Holies to bless the people after making the sacrifice, so too will Jesus reappear, not to deal with sin again, but to bring final salvation to those who eagerly await him. This is a message of hope and certainty, a stark contrast to the repetitive and incomplete nature of the old system.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
How does thinking about Jesus' death as a will that gives you an inheritance change how you see the New Covenant? 📖
The Old Covenant was made official with animal blood, but the New Covenant with Jesus' blood. What does this tell us about how much more valuable and permanent our salvation is now?
The author of Hebrews spends a lot of time showing how Jesus' sacrifice is better than the old ones. Why was it so important for him to prove this to his readers? What were they struggling with?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Let's talk about Jesus as the one whose death guaranteed our inheritance. When have you felt like you had to earn God's love? How does it feel to know that your inheritance is a guaranteed gift through Jesus' death, bringing you peace and freedom? 🙏
How to Apply This Today: Salvation not dependent on our performance
For a modern-day Christian, the principles in Hebrews 9:11-28 offer immense freedom and assurance. The core message is that our salvation isn't dependent on our performance but on the perfect, completed work of Jesus. We don't have to keep trying to earn God's favor through religious rituals or good deeds. Jesus's sacrifice has already dealt with our sin, once and for all. This means we can approach God with confidence, knowing we are already clean and accepted in Christ.
This incredible truth can be applied to many real-life scenarios:
When you feel burdened by guilt: Imagine you've made a mistake or sinned, and the guilt feels heavy. Instead of trying to "make up for it" by doing extra good deeds or punishing yourself with self-condemnation, this passage reminds you that Jesus's work is complete. You can go directly to God, confess your sin, and receive forgiveness because Jesus's sacrifice has already paid the price. It's like receiving a "paid in full" stamp on a debt you could never have settled yourself.
When you're tempted to compare yourself to others: We often look at other Christians and think, "I'm not praying enough," "I'm not serving enough," or "I'm not as spiritual as they are." This can lead to a performance-based faith. Hebrews 9:11-28 shatters this idea by emphasizing that our standing with God is based solely on the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, not our imperfect efforts. Our value and acceptance are not measured by a spiritual checklist but by a divine transaction that has already occurred.
When you face uncertainty or fear about the future: The passage's reference to Christ's return offers a powerful, forward-looking hope. Instead of fearing a final judgment for your sins, you can look forward to His return with joyful expectation. This changes how you face life's challenges. For example, if you're going through a tough season, you can find peace knowing that this life is not the end. Your ultimate inheritance—made possible by Jesus' death—is a secure future with Him. This hope allows you to live with purpose, knowing that your life is part of a much bigger, more glorious story.
When you struggle to share your faith: Some people find it difficult to talk about their faith because they feel they aren't "good enough" or have too many personal struggles. The truth of the New Covenant is a game-changer. You don't have to present yourself as a perfect person who has it all figured out. You can share the good news that God’s love is a gift, a promised inheritance made possible by Christ’s sacrifice. This allows you to share your story from a place of humble gratitude rather than personal merit, which is a much more powerful and authentic witness.
This passage also calls us to a life of gratitude and a forward-looking hope. We should live in a way that reflects the immense gift we have received. As we await Christ's return, we are to be a people who are "eagerly awaiting him," not out of fear, but out of joyful expectation. This means living with purpose and sharing the good news of the finished work of Christ with those who are still under the burden of trying to earn their salvation.
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RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
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EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE
From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇
For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!
As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.
Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.
There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.
We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!
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