Unlocking Hebrews 9: The Old Way vs. The New Way *Bonus* What do modern Jews do now?
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 12
- 16 min read
Updated: Sep 3
Hebrews 9
The Main Message: The old system of worship with its tabernacle and sacrifices was a temporary system. It showed that sin separated people from God. This passage's main point is that this old way was a symbol of the perfect solution, which is Jesus. His sacrifice made it possible for us to have direct access to God.
Welcome to YourJesusJourney.com! This study guide is designed to help you dig into Hebrews 9:1-10. This passage gives us a detailed look at the old system of worship from the Old Testament, which was all about a physical temple, priests, and animal sacrifices. The author's vivid description naturally leads many Christians to ask some important questions: "If there are still Jews who don't believe in Jesus, do they still offer sacrifices today? With the Temple in Jerusalem destroyed, where do modern Jews worship? Why do they still travel to the Western Wall?"
We'll start by unpacking our passage, then we'll chase some rabbit trails to learn more about the Jewish people who don't believe in Jesus as the Messiah and how their religious practices have evolved.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews 9:1-10 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: Hebrews 9
In Hebrews 9:1–10, the author lays out the blueprint for the Old Covenant system of worship, which was a very real, physical setup. This was not just a metaphor; it was a functioning religious system. Imagine a highly secure, multi-room facility. The first room, the Holy Place, was where the priests did their daily work, with the lampstand, the table of bread, and the altar of incense. But behind a thick curtain, the most important room of all, the Most Holy Place, held the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's presence. Access to this room was heavily restricted. It was the ultimate "restricted area." ⛔
This strict access policy was a direct consequence of sin. It physically demonstrated the separation between a holy God and sinful people. Only one person, the high priest, could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. His entry was not a casual visit; it was a solemn, life-or-death ritual where he had to bring blood from an animal sacrifice. This blood was the "special pass" needed to cover the sins of the people for another year.
The author of Hebrews details this system not to celebrate it, but to underscore its limitations. He calls it a "copy and shadow" of the heavenly reality. He's saying, "Look at all this effort—all the rituals, the priests, the sacrifices—it was the best they had, but it was just a temporary fix." He is building a powerful case that this whole system was never meant to be the final answer. It couldn't truly make the worshiper's conscience clean. All of it was pointing to a new, permanent solution—the ultimate sacrifice that would fix the problem of sin once and for all. That solution is Jesus. His death on the cross was a one-time payment that permanently opened the way into God's presence, making the old system obsolete.
This rich description of the old way naturally leads us to questions many Christians have about Jews who didn't believe in Jesus then and still don't today. If they don't have the Temple or a high priest, what do they do now? We're going to chase some rabbit trails to learn more about the Jews who don't believe in Jesus as the Messiah, exploring not only what their modern practices are but also how they got there. We'll also take some time to discover if their methods and beliefs are biblical or not.
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.
Rabbit Trail 1: Do Jews who don't believe Jesus was the Messiah still offer blood sacrifices?
It's a great question many Christians have today. The short answer is no, Jews who don't believe in Jesus are not still offering blood sacrifices in a temple. The entire system the author of Hebrews described came to a dramatic end shortly after he wrote his letter.
Key Events and the Shift
The ancient Jewish system of animal sacrifices, the high priest, and the Holy of Holies all centered around the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the physical place where God's presence was believed to reside and where all the rituals had to be performed.
The most crucial event that changed everything was the destruction of the Second Temple in A.D. 70. The Roman army laid siege to Jerusalem, and the Temple was completely destroyed. The Temple's destruction was an earth-shattering event for the Jewish people. It was the central point of their religious life and the only place where the biblical sacrificial system could be carried out. Without the Temple, the priesthood, the high priest's annual entry into the Holy of Holies, and all the animal sacrifices came to an immediate halt. They simply had no place to perform these rituals anymore.
From Temple to Synagogue
The Jewish people had to find a new way to worship and connect with God without a central temple or a sacrificial system. Over time, the focus of Jewish religious life shifted from the Temple to the synagogue. This wasn't a brand new idea; Jewish communities living outside of Jerusalem, especially those who had been scattered by previous exiles, had already begun developing the concept of local synagogues long before the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70. These early synagogues served as places for prayer, reading the Torah, and community gatherings, so the destruction of the Temple simply accelerated a change that was already in motion.
The synagogue became the new center for prayer, study of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), and community gatherings. Rabbis, who were teachers and scholars of the law, replaced the priests as the religious leaders. Interestingly, ancient synagogue doorways were almost always oriented to face Jerusalem, allowing worshippers to face the holy city while they prayed. Archeologists can often determine the age of a synagogue's ruins by the direction its doors and main entrance face. Instead of blood sacrifices, prayer and good deeds became the new ways to seek atonement and express devotion to God.
This new form of worship is called Rabbinic Judaism. Modern Jews don't see this as a break from the Bible, but as a fulfillment of biblical principles in a new reality. They believe that prayer, repentance, and good deeds are a valid substitute for the sacrifices, citing verses from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that seem to support this idea. For example, the prophet Hosea says, "Take with you words and return to the LORD. Say to him: 'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips instead of bulls'" (Hosea 14:2, NIV). Other passages in the Psalms also speak of the importance of a broken spirit and a contrite heart over animal sacrifices.
Synagogue Orientation: A Timeline
Before the destruction of the Second Temple in A.D. 70, synagogues served as places for prayer, Torah study, and community gatherings, but they didn't replace the Temple's sacrificial system. Archaeological evidence suggests these early synagogues had various layouts, with benches facing the center of the room. However, even during this time, a significant number of synagogues were built with their main entrances facing Jerusalem. This was not about entering to pray, but rather about the act of leaving the synagogue and symbolically facing the holy city.
After the destruction of the Temple, the synagogue's function became even more critical. With no central Temple or priesthood, the synagogue became the primary place of Jewish worship. This is where the practice of praying toward Jerusalem became a central and defining element of synagogue architecture.
Archaeologists can often tell the timeframe of a synagogue's ruins by observing this orientation. Older synagogues from the Second Temple period often have doors or benches facing Jerusalem, but later synagogues from the Byzantine period and beyond were almost universally designed with the Torah shrine (where the Torah scrolls were kept) placed in the wall that faced Jerusalem. This shift showed that the focus of worship had moved from the Temple itself to the study of God's Word, while still maintaining a physical connection to the holy city.
In short, the orientation of a synagogue's doorway or its internal layout is a tangible record of the Jewish people's longing for Jerusalem and a clear indicator of how their worship evolved from a Temple-based system to a synagogue-based one.
What Christians Should Know
Judaism Today is Rabbinic Judaism: When you encounter a modern Jew, their religious practice is based on the traditions that were developed after the Temple's destruction. Their worship is centered on prayer, the study of the Torah, and a strict adherence to Jewish law, not on a sacrificial system.
The Temple is a Future Hope: Many Jews today still pray for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. They believe that one day, a new Temple will be built, and the sacrificial system will be restored.
A Shared History, a Divergent Path: Both Christians and Jews who don't believe in Jesus share the Old Testament as their foundational text. The key difference lies in how they interpret the destruction of the Temple. For Christians, the destruction of the Temple confirmed that Jesus's sacrifice was the final and complete atonement for sin, making the old system obsolete. For Jews, the destruction of the Temple was a tragic event that forced them to adapt their religious practice while still holding out hope for its eventual return.
Rabbit Trail 2: The Problem with Interpreting the Prophets
Modern Rabbinic Judaism often points to verses in the Old Testament prophets and Psalms to support their transition from sacrifice to prayer. They'll quote passages like Hosea 14:2, which says, "Take with you words and return to the Lord… So we will render the calves of our lips," and Psalm 51:16-17, which states, "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
The key difference in interpretation lies in this:
Rabbinic View: These verses prove that God always preferred prayer and a sincere heart over animal sacrifice, and that prayer is a valid substitute for sacrifice when the Temple is gone.
Christian View: Christian scholars would argue that this is a misinterpretation. These verses are not teaching that prayer is a permanent replacement for the sacrificial system. Instead, they are condemning a form of worship where people were going through the motions—offering sacrifices with a wicked heart. They are saying, "Don't bring me your animal sacrifices if your heart isn't right." The prophets and psalmists were emphasizing the importance of genuine repentance alongside the sacrificial system. From a Christian perspective, these passages actually point to the fact that a complete and final atonement was needed—a "sacrifice of a broken spirit" that only the Messiah could provide. Jesus's death is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of that "broken and contrite heart" that truly atones for sin.
Other Biblical Problems
Beyond the interpretation of those key verses, Christian theology raises other concerns about the biblical validity of modern Rabbinic Judaism:
The Problem of the Priesthood: The book of Hebrews goes to great lengths to show that Jesus is the ultimate high priest "in the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:6). The old Levitical priesthood was a temporary system that pointed to him. With Jesus as the final high priest and the ultimate sacrifice, there is no need for a human priesthood or a temple. Rabbinic Judaism, by replacing the priests with rabbis, created a human solution to a problem that was already solved by God through Jesus. For a Christian, this is a clear sign that they have missed the central message of the Old Testament.
The Problem of the Messiah: This is the biggest divide. The Old Testament is full of prophecies about a Messiah who would come to suffer and die for the sins of his people (e.g., Isaiah 53, Psalm 22). Many of the prophecies about his first coming speak of a suffering servant, not a conquering political king. From a Christian perspective, Rabbinic Judaism's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and their continued expectation for a future, purely political king is a failure to recognize the fulfillment of these prophecies.
The Problem of the Oral Law: A central tenet of Rabbinic Judaism is the belief in the "Oral Law" (the Talmud), which they believe was given to Moses at the same time as the written law. This oral tradition is seen as having the same authority as the written Torah. From a Christian perspective, this is a major problem because Jesus himself confronted the Pharisees for elevating their traditions to the same level as God's commands (Mark 7:8-9). The New Testament teaches that God's Word is the ultimate authority, and that human traditions—no matter how well-intentioned—should never be given equal weight.
Rabbit Trail 3: Jewish Pilgrimages and the Western Wall
Jews still make pilgrimages to Israel and visit the Western Wall for a deep, historical reason: it is the closest and most accessible remnant of the ancient Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism. They go there not to perform sacrifices, but to pray and mourn the destruction of the Temple and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. This practice fits directly into Rabbinic Judaism's shift from a Temple-centric religion to a prayer-centric one.
Why the Western Wall?
After the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70, the Jewish people were scattered. The Temple Mount became inaccessible to them for long periods. The Western Wall, which was part of the retaining wall that supported the Temple Mount, was the closest they could get to the site of the Holy of Holies. It became a powerful symbol of their longing for God's presence and the restoration of their ancient way of life. The crying, rocking back and forth, and placing written prayers in the cracks of the wall are all expressions of this deep mourning and hope. They are physical demonstrations of a spiritual longing for God to return to his people and to rebuild the Temple.
The Christian Perspective
From a Christian standpoint, this practice is viewed with both respect and theological sadness. Christians see the Western Wall as a poignant symbol of a people who are still waiting for a fulfillment that has already come.
Respect for a Deep Faith: Christians respect the Jewish people's dedication and their enduring faith in God. The pilgrimage to the Western Wall is a powerful testament to their historical connection to God and their perseverance through centuries of persecution.
Theological Sadness: The sadness comes from the Christian belief that the fulfillment they are praying for has already been delivered in Jesus. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the new and better Temple (John 2:19-21) and the final sacrifice. The veil in the Temple tore from top to bottom when Jesus died, symbolizing that the barrier between God and humanity had been removed once and for all (Matthew 27:51). Therefore, Christians believe that the longing for a physical temple and the mourning at the wall, while heartfelt, are unnecessary because God's presence is now available to all believers through the Holy Spirit.
In short, while Rabbinic Judaism sees the Western Wall as a substitute for the destroyed Temple and a place to express their longing for its return, Christians see it as a powerful reminder that Jesus's death and resurrection made a physical Temple obsolete by providing direct access to God for all.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
The old system was a reminder that we were kept separate from God. How does the knowledge that Jesus has now given us direct access to God change the way you pray or think about your relationship with him?
The old sacrifices couldn't truly get rid of a person's guilty conscience. How does Jesus's sacrifice, a one-time payment, give you a sense of peace and a clear conscience?
The Tabernacle helped people understand spiritual truths through a physical building. What things in your own life or church, like singing a worship song or taking communion, help you remember what Jesus did for you?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
This passage shows us that the old way of worship was a temporary fix that made people aware they needed something better. How does remembering that the old system was just a placeholder help us to more deeply appreciate that Jesus's death on the cross was the final and perfect solution?
How to Apply This Today: You don't need a middleman.
The lesson from Hebrews is that because of Jesus, the barrier between you and God is gone. You don't need a priest, a special building, or a specific time to talk to him. Your access is direct and constant.
Real-Life Scenarios:
During a tough day at work: You're a construction worker, and a problem with a project has you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Instead of waiting until Sunday church, you can take a moment to step away, find a quiet corner, and pray to God right there, asking for wisdom and peace.
When you're facing a difficult family conversation: Before you walk into the room, you can offer a quick prayer in your heart, asking for God to guide your words and help you listen with a loving spirit. The "door" to God's presence is open in that moment, just as it is in a church pew.
Your past is paid for.
The old sacrificial system was a constant reminder of sin, requiring repeated payments. Jesus's sacrifice was a one-and-done deal. This means the guilt and shame from your past mistakes don't have to define your present or future.
Real-Life Scenarios:
Confronting a past mistake: You’re a parent, and you’re talking to your child about a bad decision you made when you were younger. Instead of being paralyzed by shame, you can share honestly, knowing that while your action had consequences, Jesus's payment was final. You can say, "I made a big mistake, but I've asked for forgiveness, and God has given me a fresh start."
Dealing with a nagging memory: A memory of something you did years ago suddenly pops into your mind, bringing a wave of guilt. Instead of letting that shame take over, you can remind yourself that the debt for that sin has already been paid in full by Jesus. You can thank God for his forgiveness and choose to live in the freedom that comes with a clean conscience.
Living with confidence.
The old system was about trying to get to God through your own efforts. The new system is about living from the confidence that God is already with you and you have his favor because of Jesus. This changes everything.
Real-Life Scenarios:
Starting a new project: You're about to take on a new role or start a challenging project. Instead of feeling like you have to prove yourself to God and everyone else, you can approach it with a sense of calm confidence. You're not trying to earn God's approval, but rather living out of the approval you already have.
Navigating a difficult relationship: You're dealing with a difficult person who always seems to criticize you. Instead of feeling the need to constantly defend yourself or shrink away, you can stand firm in the knowledge that your identity is secure in Christ. You can live and interact with them from a place of rest and peace, not from a place of trying to earn their love or respect.
Join a Journey Group!
Don't do this alone. Your faith journey is a lot like a hiking trip—it's more fun and a whole lot safer with a group. So, stop going it alone and join a Journey Group! It's the best way to process these studies and share your story with others. To find out more about joining a group or even starting one, head on over to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
Your Jesus Journey is an independent, non-denominational Christian ministry. We're fueled by God's grace and the generosity of our supporters. Our team—led by Pastor Thad and his wife Kaila—is made up of dedicated disciples from all over the United States. Together, we work to help people understand the Bible, find Christian friends, and grow as disciple-makers.
Be sure to grab our free E-Book, "Stop Reading the Bible Wrong: 7 Strategic Shifts that Change Everything." Just click the Free Gift button at the top of our website, and we'll send it to you today!
Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or even learn how to start your own. It's like a spiritual potluck, but instead of questionable casseroles, we share insights and grow closer to God. See you there!
You can also get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604.
To learn more about YJJ, Thad and Kaila, and Your Jesus Journey, check out our ABOUT US section: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/learn-about-thad-and-kaila-and-the-journey-church-online.
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!
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!
Comments