Tiger Woods is just the latest high-profile person to be exposed as an adulterer. Senator Max Baucus is another. Woods gets more attention because he is better known and because of so many women being connected to him. Whether it is one or over a dozen, adultery is the same: it destroys lives.

King David took Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). When it was discovered she was pregnant, the king attempted to cover it up. He tried to get Uriah to sleep with his wife so everyone would think the child was his. When that didn’t work, David got him drunk and tried it again. When that didn’t work, he had Uriah killed. After this, David took Bathsheba as his wife so everything would seemingly be okay. But, it was not to be.

God exposed David as an adulterer through Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-15). He did not deny his sin, but readily confessed it and sought God’s mercy. Of course, it was granted. However, forgiveness did not remove the consequences. David’s son by Bathsheba died (2 Sam. 12:15-23). Too, David’s household was filled with trouble from then on (2 Sam. 12:10-12). No doubt, the king wished he had never gazed on the woman on the rooftop.

Whether it is king David, Woods, or Baucus, adultery destroys lives. It affects those who commit the act. It also impacts the innocent around them. Uriah was perfectly innocent. Wood’s wife and children are going through extremely difficult times now and will never completely heal. Baucus’ wife is humiliated and terribly hurt.

Adultery has a monetary impact as well. The wise man said, “Remove your way far from her [an immoral woman]…Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner” (Prov. 5:8, 10). In the case of Woods you can also see a definite economic catastrophe with all the brands he is connected to being tarnished to some degree; if nothing else losing the ability to use Woods to promote their products. Whenever adultery takes place, there is a material consequence. Whether it is due to paying for gifts and rooms for the adultery, loss of work due to mental stress, or a divided household with two sets of bills. You can think of many more.

The worst thing is the damage adultery does to souls. An adulterer cannot go to heaven (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10). Those impacted by the sin can become bitter toward God and His ways. Instead of blaming the devil for the consequences and pain, some attack God. Children can lose all respect for authority because one of the parents has completely destroyed trust and respect for the main authority figure in their life. In some cases, the children follow their parent’s footsteps into a life of sexual immorality as either an attempt to numb the pain or because they think it is normal behavior. However you look at it, adultery destroys souls.

There is one way the Bible gives us to deal with sexual immorality, adultery included: RUN! Joseph did (Gen. 39:11-13). The Holy Spirit commanded it (1 Cor. 6:18). So, when you are tempted by Satan to lust after another, remember adultery destroys lives.

It is abundantly clear that sacrifices offered by imperfect men never have and never will be sufficient to remove sins. In fact, even under the Old Testament—a revelation from Almighty God—the sacrifices of bulls and goats only reminded people of their sins. Note, the sins were not “rolled forward” as some wrongfully conclude. Rather, they were reminded of their sin and the need for a sacrifice to take it away…and that the animals did not do the job because they had to be offered again and again.

Instead, Jesus came as the perfect sacrifice for sins. He was divine and God prepared a body for Him. He came to do the will of God, “by which will we have been sanctified.” The sacrifice we offer now is our body as a living sacrifice to God; both in gratitude and duty (Rom. 1:1, 2).

In Hebrews 9:23-28, shows animals were sufficient for the earthly tabernacle and ministry of men, but not for the heavenly. Jesus had to offer His blood in the Holy Place, heaven. He did this before God for us, that is, on our behalf; once and for all.

Jesus appeared the first time to put away sin. The second time He will come apart from sin—not to bear man’s sin again, but to give us eternal salvation. Notice, this is for those who “eagerly wait for Him.” Are we eagerly waiting?

Hebrews 9:16-22 tells us the death of Christ was essential. The New Covenant could not be established without it. Remission of sins would be impossible if He did not shed His blood.

The first covenant was established with the blood of animals; the second with the blood of Christ. Hence, the latter is far superior to the former. Its requirements and our resulting obligations and gratitude reflect this. Let us honor the blood-sealed Covenant of Christ.

In Hebrews 9:11-15, the writer previews what he will discuss in the rest of chapter 9 and all of chapter 10. His lists many things about Jesus, His function, and the purpose of His advent.

1. High Priest.
2. Built a greater tabernacle.
3. Used His blood, not that of animals.
4. One sacrifice, not many.
5. For redemption, including those under the Old Testament.
6. Mediator.
7. Established a New Covenant.

Truly, Jesus is our all in all.

The writer gives us a good overview of the first tabernacle. It would be nice to see it today as it was then; no doubt an amazing structure. Yet, it was temporary and significantly inferior to what we have now.

Take note that the ark of the covenant contained three things: 1. The golden pot that had the manna; 2. Aaron’s rod that budded; 3. The tablets of the covenant. The latter is what is interesting. The tablets were the Ten Commandments which were representative of the entire covenant. Since the covenant is done away with, so are the tablets. In other words, the Ten Commandments are no longer in force (cf. 2 Cor. 3:3-13). Our moral standards are rooted in the New Testament of Jesus Christ, not the Old Testament of Moses.

The first covenant was faulted in that there was no remission of sins. Hence, the Lord determined to establish a second covenant. When this was revealed, as discussed in Jeremiah 31:31-34, it made the first obsolete.

We are at a great advantage compared to people who lived under the old covenant. The full truth of the plan of salvation is now known…no excuses.

Jesus Christ is the true high priest now. In contrast to the Levites who ministered in a physical tabernacle/temple made with the hands of men, Jesus ministers in the true tabernacle—the church—built by the Lord.

The Old Testament system was merely a copy and shadow of the real and genuine. And, as Moses was required to follow the pattern given by God, so are we. If it was important to do so for the “shadow” it is that much more important for the substance.

Notice again the writer states Jesus is the Mediator of a “better” covenant established on “better” promises. We are way better off than folks under the Law of Moses.

Jehovah took an oath that Jesus would be a priest in the order of Melchizedek. This was superior to the way Levitical priests were appointed. And, thus, “Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.” The covenant is superior just as His priesthood is.

His priesthood is unchangeable because He is eternal. The priests under the old covenant died. Jesus, being immortal, does not need replacing.

Because of the exceeding greatness of His priesthood and its unchangeable nature, Jesus is able to save to the uttermost. He can completely save the worst of sinners—not almost, partially, or just barely—but completely. How thankful we ought to be for this.

Finally, His one sacrifice was sufficient to all for all time. There is power in the blood…power to save even me.

Hebrews 6:13-20, is all about the faithfulness of God. The contrast is the fickleness of some men (Heb. 6:1-12). God is not this way.

When God made a promise to Abraham, He meant it. Nothing could or would stop Him from keeping it. The Savior was sent into the world. He gave His life for us; to take away our sins. Now we have an anchor for our soul.

Jesus is in heaven, ruling and reigning at the right hand of God. He is our advocate before the Father. No matter what happens in life, our faith in Him cannot be taken away or the blessing promised stolen. As we maintain our confidence in Him, we are assured of His blessings and the promised rest. So, the troubles of life are troublesome, but they do not move us away from the promise.