Hello everyone. Sorry it has been some time since my last post. Today we start the book of Hebrews. Hebrews finds itself a part of the General Epistles. That is, epistles with a broad or no specific audience. Hence why they are generally named for the author rather than the audience as is the case with Paul's letters. We are unsure who wrote Hebrews. Some suggest Paul, but Hebrews lack certain characteristics that are a part of all Paul's writings. Some also suggest Luke, Barnabas or Apollos.
Though we are unsure who wrote it, we do know based on facts that Hebrews was written sometime between 40 and 70 A.D. The fact that there was no mention of the destruction of the Temple and that Timothy was still alive leads us to this conclusion. Also, Clement of Rome writes about Hebrews in his writings near 95 A.D. which gives us further proof that the book was indeed written before the end of the apostolic age. Our Christian forefathers deemed it to be authoritative on par with the rest of the New Testament. Many Christians still hold to that belief even though we do not not for sure who wrote Hebrews.
As you read through Hebrews pay attention for certain themes. There is much said about Christianity being superior to religion, specifically Judaism. The word "better" is used 13 times in reference to things like: the Old Testament, the Law, the prophets, angels, Moses, and the Aaronic priesthood. This isn't done to denounce these things, but rather to show how Christ is superior to them. Other key themes include: showing how the Old and New Testaments fit together, warning to Christians about immaturity, and pleasing sacrifices to God. Now...onto the text...
2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The word "therefore" is used here to connect the previous passage to this one. In light to what has just been said we need to be careful to not drift away. By some Christians it's called "Backslide". This message "spoken by angels" implies that the message has authority and gives it another level of depth as to how authoritative it is. The message is binding and of God, not man. We have a duty to follow God's will. God's will is that we be saved, but how are to be saved if we intentionally or unintentionally neglect His message? Remember that faith without deeds is dead. How can we ignore such a great salvation? How can we ignore and not take part in God's word, which helps us to hold fast to Him and His truth? How can we ignore what our responsibility is, which is showing God's word to others that they may hear and be saved (Romans 10:14-17)?
2:17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
People sometimes cannot wrap their minds around that God came down and took on flesh and dwelt among us. Not only did Christ do this in order to be the sacrifice we needed, He also did it to comfort us. He became just like us. He took a flesh and blood body identical to ours. He had real human needs, needs that God does not need, but rather the ones a human needs. Because He did this, He has gone through every spectrum of emotion, temptation and physical suffering imaginable.
He knows what we go through, not only because He's an all-knowing God, but also because He has actually experienced it Himself. He helps those who are suffering and tempted because He has suffered and was tempted. He gives comfort to those in a fallen world because He lived in a fallen world that He created and intended to not be a fallen world. We have a great comforter in Jesus Christ. Let us not forget it and find our rest and satisfaction in Him.
That's all for now. I'll be posting again later this week as we go into the book of 1 Peter, written by the apostle himself. I look forward to talking about this great letter with you and how it impacts us in its relevance today. Until next time...
Grace be with you all!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment