The last chapter of Hebrews contains a powerful summary of wisdom and encouragement the early Christians and contemporary Christians need. Amongst all the advise in this closing of Hebrews, the writer made a very basic statement, talk the talk and walk the walk. Christians need to not only understand the Scripture, but to let it shape their lives.
As of the writing of this post, the Coronavirus has claimed 307,000 people worldwide. Add to that horrific number, more than 90,000 new cases, closed businesses, laid off workers, financial stress, suicide, and depression. We have a worldwide crisis and a perceived time for panic. Panic or looking for hope? Believers of Jesus Christ have hope.
This was way out of my comfort zone. Spiritually, I was still pretty unsure of myself, I was self-conscious of what others thought of my faith — and I was not a hugger. In the meantime, my son attended a youth version of the retreat that I was invited to. But when I saw the pure joy in him, my decision was made. I agreed.
The writer of Hebrews, used the phrase “by faith” 18 times in Hebrews 11. You think he was trying to make a point? He was encouraging his followers to value and trust faith above all things.
Hebrews 10 was a direct and clear message to Jewish Christians about authenticity. It served as a flash of light to those people struggling with their new Christian faith preferring to resort to obeying the thousands of old testament laws to make them right. Year after year they would try to appease God with their animal sacrifices and hedge laws. I have no doubt that God paid notice of their gestures, but they were sadly missing the point. They were missing what Christ had told his followers.
We are going to continue with our study of Hebrews next week. Considering that we are wrapping up the holiest week of the year with Easter this Sunday, we thought it would be fitting to write a devotion about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews was reassuring troubled and persecuted Jewish Christians that Christ, not the Old Testament Law, was/is the true path for to salvation. At that time, they were still more comfortable with their Old Testament rituals and sacrifices for their salvation than they were with the promises from the blood of Jesus.
Despite our greed, envy, selfishness, and brokenness, thanks to Jesus our middleman, God looks at us in the present, forgives us, and wipes the board clean. Seated at the right hand of God, Jesus is the better priest who fulfills a better covenant. This new covenant involves a closer relationship between God and His people than any laws or human can deliver.
Since the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronaviurs), life has been deeply troubling and challenging for all of us. Especially troubling, is that no knows WHEN things will return to normal. No one knows IF things will return to normal as we know it. The more news and experts I listen to, the more confused and anxious I get. So, I stay informed and I also rely on a greater expert to rest all my fears on.
Hebrews 6 begins with the writer teaching his followers to recognize their level of spiritual maturity. He stressed that we can not reach perfection in our earthly lives, but that we can reach a place of maturity in our faith and love of Jesus.
