Author: Vijay

Hebrews 11 has a concise and simple definition of what Faith is, as the author is talking about. The rest of the chapter 11 displays this faith being practiced in history by many heroes of faith. As one carefully observes the stories in this chapter, the layout contains both victory and loss experienced by these heroes of faith. Is there a trick to navigating life to avoid pain, failure and achieve success by faith?

The book of Hebrews has several passages urging believers to persevere so they can obtain the full assurance of their salvation. The passage is on Hebrews 10:19-31 can be seen like a crescendo leasing the believers into an understanding of the essential key to their perseverance in Christian life – Faith. This perseverance can be seen in the believer’s practical “assembling together” and in their deep commitment to “suffer along” with other believers.

Hebrews 9:1-10:18, our study passage, reflects on a very important event Jesus’ death and its meaning to be seen in the imagery of the Old Testament. The author spins from the description of the earthly tabernacle into the idea of shedding of blood as a requirement for sin and declares the Blood of Christ was sealed proof of our eternal salvation.

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.