Hebrews: 3
So, in chapters 8-10, we read about the superiority of Christ’s ministry. Christ serves as high priest in the heavenly tabernacle, which serves as the prototype for the earthly one built by Moses (8:1-6). Christ mediates the new covenant (NC), which is superior to the old one (OC—with my apologies to the TV show) in every way (8:7-9:28). 8:8-12 represents the longest quote of the OT in the NT. What is most interesting about this quote is that it is a prophecy of Jeremiah (31:31-34) explicitly addressed to “Israel” and “Judah” but is fulfilled through the church. In other words, while not identical entities (cf. Rom 9-11), they are nevertheless closely connected (as Paul writes in Romans 11: two branches from 1 and the same tree).
In what ways is the NC better than the OC? Based on Jer 31:31-34 (cf. Ezek 36:25-27), the NC produces a greater level of obedience to God: we can now follow God not simply b/c we have to but b/c we want to. According to Jer 31 (cf. Joel 2:28-29), the NC is much more inclusive: under the OC only prophets, priests, and kings could experience the Holy Spirit; now every believer receives him. The NC is also superior in its finality: it is the last covenant—no future covenant looms on the horizon. Question: What are some other ways the NC surpasses the OC?
The author goes on to extol the perfection and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice (10:1-25). Under the OC, the priests had to offer sacrifices every month and every year—something that reminded them that sin was always an issue and always had to be atoned for. In view of the surpassing holiness and finality of Christ’s high priestly ministry, believers must take serious heed to the message concerning Jesus (10:26-31). The author thus issues a call for persevering faith, beginning in the tail end of chap. 10. He exhorts his audience to continue to persevere through suffering (10:32-39): they must never shrink back but must press forward by faith unto perseverance (Heb 10:38-39). In mentioning the need for faith, he then begins a sidebar on the topic in chap. 11, the so-called “Hall of Faith.”
All of the figures to whom he refers idealize different aspects of a life of faith: they did what they did b/c of their faith in God and his promises. Thus, for example, Abel worshiped by faith (11:4), Noah built the ark by faith (11:7), Abraham traveled to an unknown land by faith (11:8-10), Sarah miraculously conceived by faith (Heb 11:11), etc., etc., etc.! Living a life of faith is not always easy (11:8-9), is often difficult (11:25-26), and can sometimes be downright dangerous (11:35-37)! Another integral part of living a life of faith according to chap. 11 is that the reward that God promises doesn’t always come in this life. He makes this point early (Heb 11:13) and near the end of the chap. (Heb 11:39-40). Question: How does knowing that your reward for living faithfully might be bestowed after you die encourage you to keep going now?
While these “heroes” of the faith are worthy of our emulation, the ultimate example of living a life of faith is Jesus (12:1-3)—he is the one on whom we must forever fix our eyes (Heb 12:2). Just as Jesus suffered so we can expect to suffer—as some of the original audience had (Heb 10:32-34). In order to help his people endure their suffering, the author gives them some perspective. On the 1 hand he says no matter how bad things are, they could always be worse (Heb 12:4). On the other hand, suffering can be a sign of God’s love for us (12:5-17). Parents discipline their children b/c they love them and they want them to do well in life. Well similarly, God disciplines his children so that they might become more like Jesus (Heb 12:9-10)—which has always been his ultimate plan for us. Thus, in light of God’s final plan for us (i.e., to become like his Son), we need to give heed to this all-important message concerning Jesus (12:18-29).
In his concluding remarks—the only part of the “letter” that actually sounds like a letter—the author begins by giving some ethical imperatives (13:1-8): believers are to show hospitality to those in need, they are to refrain from sexual immorality, and they are not to be materialistic. Hmm, all things which still apply today! He says that they must reject strange/errant teachings (13:9-14), they must praise and honour God even in the midst of difficult circumstances—in which case praise truly becomes a “sacrifice” to God (Heb 13:15-16). Lay people must obey their leaders (Heb 13:17)—a note Paul regularly sounds in his letters.
Hebrews then closes with one of the richest benedictions in the NT (Heb 13:20-21). It is grounded in the “God of peace”; it is effective through the person and work of Jesus, “the great shepherd of the sheep”; and the benediction issues forth in the divinely enabled ability to live a life pleasing to God . . . world without end, amen.
Next up: James.