Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit · Sermon No. 2075
Delivered on Lord’s Day Morning, March 17, 1889
“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once and for all, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12.
UNDER the old covenant the Lord was set forth to the people as dwelling apart, within the veil. A thick tapestry hung before the Most Holy Place and thus concealed the light which symbolized the Presence of God. Within the inner sanctuary Jehovah dwelt apart and none entered the sacred precincts except one man, and he, but once a year. The great teaching was that God is hidden from men—sin has made a division between man and God. The way of approach is not yet made manifest. Yet, even then, there was a hint given that an entrance would be made manifest eventually.
Remember, the division was not a piece of brickwork, nor even an arrangement of cedar overlaid with gold—it was a veil which, once each year was solemnly lifted, that the high priest might pass beneath. This hinted that sinful men were yet to be permitted to draw near unto the Most Holy God, through the Christ of God. That, I say, was implied—if men had faith enough to spy it out. Three hundred and sixty-four days in the year the teaching was, “No admission”—one day out of the three hundred and sixty-five, the teaching was, “A way of access will yet be shown.”
Now, beloved Friends, the priests of old, the holy and the Most Holy Place were only “patterns of things in the heavens.” They were not the things, themselves. In them we see instructive types and symbols but nothing more. How greatly we may rejoice as we read the eleventh verse of the chapter before us! It begins with “But.” And, oh, what a blessed “but” for you and for me! Up till then religion dealt with externals such as meats and drinks and washings and carnal ordinances and priests who could only offer the blood of bulls and of goats. But the coming of the Messiah changed all this. We pass from shadow to substance—
“Finished all the types and shadows Of the ceremonial Law.”
Now have Divine Grace and the Truth of God come by Jesus Christ. Read on—“Christ came.” How the bells ring out joyously—“Christ came.” It was the music of Bethlehem—“Christ came.” It was the song of Anna and Simeon— “Christ came.” This will be the joy of the whole earth when once earth understands her truest privilege—“Christ came.” The good things were still come for many a year. But now “Christ came,” we have them in possession. No son of Aaron stands before us but the Christ, the truly Anointed One, commissioned of the Lord to introduce man to his offended God. Anointed by the eternal Spirit without measure, the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the end of the world to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself and then to destroy the separating veil by going in unto the Father.
If I had to tell you today that a Savior would in due time be born and would offer a sacrifice for sin, there would be great joy in the news—but we have something far better. For the Anointed One has appeared and fulfilled His course. He has been here among the sons of men. The Incarnate God—“Immanuel, God with us,” the true High Priest for men in things pertaining to God. Again, I say, let the bells joyously ring out—“Christ came.” He is “an High Priest of good things to come.” Things which were in the olden time “things to come,” are things present at this hour. For Jesus has brought to light the precious things of the Covenant, which kings and Prophets desired to see. Yet even now there are good things in the future. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.”
The Lord Jesus has brought all good things to those who believe in Him, that they may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Good things to come find their way here by the Mediator. God Himself has come among men in the Person of the Lord Jesus who has taken our nature into union with His Godhead. Our Immanuel was born at Bethlehem,
He dwelt at Nazareth, He died on Calvary and He has now gone up on High because His work is finished and the reward of it is given.
The striking point to which I call your attention is this—while our Lord was here, He was comparable to the high priest when he stood on the outside of the veil. I want you to remember that fact. Outside is the place of sinful men. Did the holy Jesus ever stand there? He did. His sacrifice was of necessity offered without the veil and as a sign thereof—“He suffered without the gate.” The fact is evident that our Lord suffered by being forsaken of God. The veil hung thick between Him and God till His great sacrifice was accepted—in testimony whereof hear you not that bitter cry, the bitterest that ever came from human lips—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”