Can Religion Cleanse Your Conscience? – Hebrews 9:1-10

Oct 21, 2025 295

[1] Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. [2] For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. [3] Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, [4] having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. [5] Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

[6] These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, [7] but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. [8] By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing [9] (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, [10] but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. (ESV)

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The tabernacle was glorious – God’s presence dwelling with his people. But it was never enough.

How Difficult It Was to Access God

Here we have how difficult it was to get into the most holy place. Verse 6 says that priests entered the outer room regularly – tending lamps, burning incense, and exchanging bread.

But into the second section? Verse 7: only the high priest. Once a year. Never without blood.

Ordinary Israelites couldn’t get past the courtyard. Priests might enter the outer room once in their lives. The Most Holy Place? The high priest alone, and he went in trembling.

Verse 8 tells us the Holy Spirit was showing something: the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed. Throughout the Old Covenant, there was no direct access to God.

This System Could Not Perfect the Conscience

As inadequate as the access was, there was something worse: look at verse 9 – this whole system could not perfect the conscience of the worshipper.

Verse 10 says it dealt with external regulations – food, drink, and ceremonial washings. But the conscience? That inner world where guilt lives? The old system couldn’t touch it.

Yes, the sacrificial system provided forgiveness – no small thing. But a clear conscience in the absolute sense? Beyond reach. The ongoing repetition – day after day, year after year – proved there was no perfected conscience.

Good, But Pointing Forward

The writer to the Hebrews doesn’t bag out the Old Testament. It was good – God was holy, and this was the kindness of God providing a way to approach him.

But something and someone better is here.

The tabernacle was always a shadow. The lampstand spoke of Christ, the light of the world. The bread pointed to Jesus, the bread of life. The mercy seat foreshadowed the cross where Jesus’ blood would be shed once for all.

The Good News Is…

The good news is that Jesus has done what the old system could never do. The tabernacle showed us how serious sin is and how desperately we need access to God and cleansing from sin. But it couldn’t provide either one fully.

Jesus does both. Through his once-for-all sacrifice, he’s opened the way into God’s presence. And through his blood, he cleanses our consciences completely – not just externally, but deep within, dealing with the root cause of our guilt and shame.

The old covenant was good. But the new covenant is better. You don’t need to keep coming back, hoping you’ve done enough. Jesus has done it all. The way is open. Your conscience can be clean.

Reflection

Are you still trying to earn your way to God through religious performance? Or are you resting in the finished work of Jesus, who has opened the way once and for all?

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