Author: Vijay

Hebrews chapter 7 and 8, our bi-weekly study passages, deal with theme of Christ’s better work in two areas. Chapter 7 focuses on priesthood and Christ’s work as the new High Priest and Chapter 8 deals with a greater covenant that reorients the hearts of people instead of their external actions. There is a lot to learn of the author painting a portrayal of Jesus upon the background of the Old Testament

Our study now has to deal with one of the tough admonition passage of the New Testament found in Heb 5:12-6:20. The author starts with a rebuke of “immaturity” of his audience and the need for them to move beyond elementary teaching of “repentance”, “faith”, “instruction”, “laying on of hands” and even “eternal judgement.” What does the author intend we learn in this “mature” phase, what could be more “mature” than these basic tenants of the Christian faith? How about the rest of the passage leading into Hebrews 6:4-8 in which the author alludes to the idea of loosing our salvation.

The passages for our continuing study are from Hebrews 4:12-5:11. The author urges believers to understand how the word of God helps cut through many of our defenses to introspectively look at ourselves in full honesty. This type of brutal honesty comes not to cause fear and despair but comes to us with God’s assuring welcome to the “boldly come to the throne of grace and “receive grace and find mercy in our time of need.” The author continues the idea of Christ as the High Priest, subjected to weakness and able to help us.

The passages for our continuing study are from Hebrews 3:7-19 and 4:1-11. The author continues what seems to be stark warnings about drifting away. The author quotes Ps. 95 second part of the song which calls Israel to be diligent in pursuing the Rest that God has already prepared for them. Rest here is best understood as a life of faith and obedience in which a person softens his heart, steers away from the drifting currents to a life that embraces Jesus along with his sufferings. Pursues a Rest that is greater than one provided by Joshua, resembles the Rest that God entered on the seventh day – so .. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Heb 4:11

Reflection

In these two passages Hebrew 2:5-18 and Hebrew 3:1-6, the author of the Hebrews presses on his audience to consider (katanoēsate) Jesus and the work he accomplished to become our great salvation. Asking us to ponder on Him who is greater than Moses. The author is once again reading between the lines in Psalms 8 to help us understand this “son of man” or specifically the unique son of man whose work gains for us our great salvation.

Reflection

The verses in Hebrews 1:5-2:4 carry on the Hebrews’ theme, Jesus is better. Here the author leads us to the idea that Jesus is better than angels. The topic of angels in the western culture is either a confusing idea of cute or interesting creatures or a general unbelief in the supernatural. The Bible can clarify what these beings are and their role in this world. Hebrews author quotes several passages to show the superiority of Jesus over angels. The author takes on the topic of drifting away from “such a great salvation.” Just like physical life, spiritual life needs explicit efforts from falling ill and loosing God given gift of life.

Reflection

Hebrews 1:1-3 was our passage for discussion (two sermons from Pastor Jeff). The deity of Christ gives us assurance that Christ work is unlike any other as it is the final sacrifice restoring mankind to God. The key phrase was “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Jesus’ work is finished, he is seated down, unlike the Jewish priests, including the High Priest, his work is done once and for all. Jewish Christians can rejoice that their salvation is final and complete. The very first verse of Hebrews laid out that God who spoke to use through the nature, law, prophets has decreed that his final word to us is the Son of God himself. God’s Son is the full revelation of God, there is nothing more of God that can be learnt than what you can by learning of Jesus Christ.

Reflection:

Much like Paul’s Epistles, Hebrews has a “Dogma” section (Christian belief) followed by an application section “Pragma” on how we live because of what we believe. Just like Jewish Christians, we can also burnout if we do the right things for the wrong reason or without clear reason. The author of Hebrews here is urging people with a number of “let us” invitations. The audience, Jewish Christians, started well (Heb 6:10), but now face discouragement, trials, perhaps social isolation and other pressures of daily life. The part-2 of our study focuses on these encouragements which urges believers with both warnings and encouragements.