Heb.9:26 – Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Paul describes in this verse the incredible power in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The power is shown through His blood that was poured out for sin. Many look at the effect of the blood as forgiveness or atonement, the covering up of our sins. The blood of Jesus is much more effective than that, His blood destroys sin, our sins are totally put away by His sacrificial death. Here is how the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament describes this focusing on the word atheteo translated as ‘put away’ followed by a comment from Brian Simmons.
“In secular Greek athetéō means ‘to regard as nought,’ ‘to set aside,’ ‘to consider invalid,’ passive ‘to be struck off,’ ‘to break with.’”
“The Aramaic can be translated “annihilate sin.”
The fact that sin has been put away brings us to the ultimate purpose of why Jesus came, to bring us back into the presence of His Father. Sin has always blocked us, in Christ sin has been put away. Here is how Wuest describes this.
“The word “appeared” (revealed) is the translation of phaneroo, a verb in the perfect passive, meaning here, “He has been manifested.” This appearance of Messiah at the Cross, corresponds to the appearance of the high priest at the Brazen Altar on the Day of Atonement where the animal for sacrifice was slain. This is Messiah’s first appearance. He puts away sin. His second appearance, recorded in verse 24, is in the Holy of Holies of heaven, His present appearance. There He appears in the presence of God for us who are saved. His presence there, brings believers into the presence of God.”
This is a very powerful verse which is foundational in Paul’s teaching in the book of Hebrews. The church in Jerusalem had been brought into the mighty presence of God some 30 years before this on the Day of Pentecost. Apparently they had lost the sense of God’s presence in their gatherings, this is what this whole book of Hebrews is about. This verse reveals the way back into the holy presence of the Lord, the blood has annihilated our sin and Jesus has appeared in heaven for us. Heb.9:24 – “For Christ did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us”. We can now come into His glorious presence by faith in His blood.
