CHRIST IS THE MEDIATOR OF A NEW COVENANT, Ron Ward
BLOOD MUST BE SHED FOR FORGIVENESS
Passage: Hebrews 9:15~22  
Key verse: 22b
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(A) of a new covenant,(B) that those who are called(C) may receive the promised(D) eternal inheritance(E)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(F)
16 In the case of a will,[a] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.(G) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(H) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(I) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(J) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[b](K) 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,(L) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(M)
Footnotes
- Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
- Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8
Cross references
- Hebrews 9:15 : S Gal 3:20
- Hebrews 9:15 : S Lk 22:20
- Hebrews 9:15 : S Ro 8:28; S 11:29
- Hebrews 9:15 : Heb 6:15; 10:36
- Hebrews 9:15 : S Ac 20:32
- Hebrews 9:15 : Heb 7:22
- Hebrews 9:18 : Ex 24:6-8
- Hebrews 9:19 : Heb 1:1
- Hebrews 9:19 : ver 12
- Hebrews 9:19 : Ex 24:6-8
- Hebrews 9:20 : Ex 24:8; S Mt 26:28
- Hebrews 9:22 : Ex 29:21; Lev 8:15
- Hebrews 9:22 : Lev 17:11
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. The Mediator of a new covenant (15)
The old covenant was a binding agreement between God and the people of Israel. It was ratified on Mount Sinai when the people listened to the law and said, 'We will obey.' Then, Moses sprinkled them with blood (Ex 19,24). But they broke the law and became helplessly in bondage to sin. So God promised to make a new covenant, a covenant of grace (Jer 31:31). God sent Jesus to be the mediator of the new covenant. He died as a ransom sacrifice for sin, so that all who believe in him might be forgiven and become God's holy people.
2. Without the shedding of blood (16-22)
A covenant with God is a life and death matter. It is like a will, which is ratified by a death. A covenant with God must be ratified by blood because we are sinners, and the wages of sin is death. Moses sprinkled the people with blood when they promised to obey the law; for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Prayer: Lord, I am bound to you by the covenant sealed in Christ's blood.
One Word: Forgiveness through the blood