The Meaning of Hebrews 9:15: Mediator of Eternal Inheritance

Context of Hebrews 9:15

The author of Hebrews is showing how Jesus fulfills and surpasses the old system of worship described in the Jewish Law.

This letter was written to Jewish believers facing pressure to return to traditional practices, and the author explains that Christ has done what the old rituals could only point to. The Levitical setup - like the Holy Place and Most Holy Place (vv.2 - 10) - was symbolic, showing separation between people and God, and required repeated sacrifices that couldn’t truly cleanse the conscience. But Jesus, as our high priest, entered not a man-made tent but heaven itself, using His own blood to secure eternal redemption (vv.11 - 14).

Because Jesus died, the new covenant is now in effect - just like a will, it only takes force after someone dies (v.16 - 17) - and through Him, we receive the promised inheritance: forgiveness and eternal life.

The Mediator and the Inheritance: What the New Covenant Means

Building on the idea that Jesus’ death activates a new covenant, this verse unpacks what that means for us: He stands as the go-between so we can receive what God has promised.

The word 'mediator' means Jesus is the one who stands between God and us, making the agreement possible - like a legal representative who ensures both sides fulfill their roles. In the old covenant, priests had to keep offering sacrifices, but they could never fully remove guilt or bring people close to God. Here, the author shows that Jesus’ death is the decisive moment that ends the old system and brings in the new, just as a will only takes effect after someone dies (vv.16 - 17). This new covenant was promised long before, as Jeremiah 31:31-34 foretold a time when God would write His laws on hearts and forgive sins completely - something the old system could never do.

God invites all into this new relationship, including Jew and Gentile, rather than limiting it to a select few by ancestry. This reflects how God’s promise now extends beyond Israel to all who believe. The 'eternal inheritance' is not land or wealth, but life with God forever, including forgiveness, a cleansed conscience (v.14), and the Holy Spirit’s presence. This inheritance is secure because it was purchased by Christ’s blood, not temporary sacrifices, making it permanent and personal.

The phrase 'transgressions committed under the first covenant' raises a key question: does this only cover sins before Christ came, or all sins, including those under the old system? The answer seems to be both - those sins were never truly forgiven by animal sacrifices (v.10), but now, through Christ’s death, even those past sins are covered. This shows the old covenant wasn’t replaced because it failed, but because it was never meant to last - it was a shadow pointing to Christ.

The new covenant isn’t just a new set of rules - it’s a new relationship, secured by death and promising eternal life.

This understanding reshapes how we see the entire Bible: not as separate eras, but as one story where Christ fulfills what the old rituals only symbolized. The next verses will go deeper into why blood is necessary, reinforcing that without sacrifice, there is no forgiveness (v.22).

Christ's Death as the Seal of God's Will and Our Eternal Inheritance

Having shown that Jesus' death activates a new covenant like a will, the passage now emphasizes that this death is the foundation of our eternal hope, not merely a legal formality.

Just as a will only takes effect after someone dies (v.16 - 17), God’s promise of eternal life becomes real through Christ’s sacrifice. This inheritance isn’t earned by keeping rules but received by faith, because Jesus paid the price to redeem 'transgressions under the first covenant' - showing God’s grace covers even those who lived before Christ.

Because Jesus died, God's promise is no longer a hope - it's a guaranteed inheritance for all who believe.

The next verses will clarify why blood is essential to this process, setting up the solemn truth that without shedding blood, there is no forgiveness (v.22).

The New Covenant in Context: How Scripture Connects God's Promises Across Time

This verse isn’t standing alone - it’s the fulfillment of promises stretching back through Jeremiah, confirmed in Paul’s letters, and sealed with blood in a way that redefines our entire relationship with God.

The author of Hebrews directly echoes Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promised a new covenant - 'I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people' - a radical shift from external rules to internal transformation, made possible only through Christ’s death.

Paul confirms this in Romans 8:17, saying that if we are children of God, then 'we are heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,' showing that our inheritance is shared in community, suffering and glory alike, rather than being solely personal. Similarly, Galatians 3:15-18 makes clear that God’s promise to Abraham came before the Law and wasn’t canceled by it - Christ is the true heir, and we become co-heirs through faith, not ancestry or ritual. This means the old covenant in Exodus 24:8, where Moses said, 'This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you,' was a temporary sign pointing to the ultimate blood of Christ, which actually establishes the promise.

So what does this mean for us today? First, we live with confidence - not trying to earn God’s favor, but resting in the finished work of Jesus. Second, in our church communities, we treat each other as fellow heirs, not based on status or performance, but because we all share the same inheritance by grace. We forgive quickly, love deeply, and welcome everyone God calls, knowing we’re all cleansed by the same blood. And in our neighborhoods, we reflect this generous, inclusive grace - showing that God’s promise isn’t locked in the past, but alive and active now.

This inheritance isn’t just future hope - it changes how we live today, how we treat one another, and how we share God’s grace with the world.

The next section will press further into the necessity of blood, grounding this hope in the solemn truth that without sacrifice, there is no forgiveness - preparing us to see Christ’s death not as tragic, but as the very heart of God’s plan.

Application