One a Day Through the New Testament
Hebrews 12: Persecution is Coming
As the author made his way through “Faith’s Hall of Fame” in chapter 11, he made a noted change in emphasis regarding those who live by faith. He began with two examples of “simple” faithful living in Abel and Enoch. He then moved to Noah, Abraham and Sarah, who obeyed God when nothing God said to them made any sense in human reasoning. From there he moved to the accounts of great deeds done by faith, notably Moses and the…
Hebrews 11: The Just Shall Live by Faith
Hebrews 11 is often called “Faith’s Hall of Fame,” as it chronicles the lineage of those who obeyed God in faith. Beginning with Abel, who by faith offered a better offering than Cain, and continuing through the judges, kings and prophets, we have illustrated what it means to have faith in God. Hebrews 11 is the perfect picture of James 2:18, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and…
Hebrews 10: “Let Us” Help One Another Get to Heaven
Hebrews 10:19 marks a transition from the reality of the New Covenant (Heb 7-8) and remission of sins through the perfect blood offering of Jesus (Heb 9:1-10:18) to the necessity of human response and the work of obedient faith: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus… and having a High Priest over the house of God,” with a series of “Let us” statements. These statements help us to see how we can help one…
Hebrews 9: Symbolism Over Substance
American politicians (and I guess politicians everywhere) love symbolism. Symbolism makes people feel good without actually doing or changing anything. With the sacrifice of Jesus, the symbolic (note the change in terminology) items and deeds of the Law were done away with. I call them symbolic because they only pointed as a shadow to the perfect and final covenant which was to follow in Christ (cf Col 2:16-17). Once the substance of the symbolic is come, blind adherence to the…
Hebrews 8: He Has Made the First Obsolete
The gospel of Christ is God’s final and for all covenant with man. After speaking specifically of the need to change the law (7:12), it seems the author wants to reassure his readers that the new covenant isn’t totally unrelated to the former. Continuing his discussion of the high priesthood, I cannot help but think of the dilemma facing the Jews of that day. The high priesthood had become diminished and tarnished by the politics of the Idumeans and their…
Hebrews 7: A Change in the Priesthood Requires a Change in the Law: Back to Melchizedek
When one thinks of all-time great Bible characters, I doubt Melchizedek comes to mind for most. However, given what Hebrews 7 tells us of this man, (and he was a man), we may need to rethink our estimation of this great character. The author begins by noting the marvelous titles of Melchizedek, “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” I think we can see where he is going with this. Then the author continues with this statement: “Now consider how…
Hebrews 6: Those Who Were Once Enlightened
I read or hear very little about “those who were once enlightened” (v 4, cf 10:32). When I was studying Hebrews some years ago, the phrase intrigued me, in part because I was still using the King James Version at the time. In a parallel text, the KJV reads “after ye were illuminated.” I was somewhat familiar with the denominational concept of illumination, or at least what I had read or been taught about it. Such was always taught in…
Hebrews 5: I’d like to talk about Melchizedeck, but…
Having begun his defense of Jesus’ superior high priesthood in chapter 4, the author continues the same in chapter 5. However, as he introduces Melchizedek, he realizes his audience lacks the knowledge and discernment needed to receive said teaching. From this point in verse 11, the author transitions to a stern rebuke of his audience for their spiritual immaturity. I love this text, as I am one who speaks repeatedly (some might say incessantly!) on the need for discernment. As…
Hebrews 4: The Word of God and Our Perfect High Priest
God had called Israel out of Egypt (Matt 2:15) and led them by a mighty hand, making a distinction between His people and the nations round about (Ex 8:23). But this did not ensure their security. Only through continued faithfulness to God’s word would they enter the rest He had prepared for them. Moreover, it was God’s word that revealed their unbelief (Heb 4:2). The same goes for us. While we may appear to be separated from the world, we…
Hebrews 3: Warnings Against Apostasy
While the theme of Hebrews is “Jesus is better,” the whole point of the book is to admonish Christians of Hebrew descent not to return to their former religion. To do so would be to desert Christ and abandon all hope of salvation. The very fact that so much time is spent in Hebrews and elsewhere throughout the New Testament warning against apostasy is proof in and of itself that such is possible. Many of these warnings are couched within…