2-4 Minute Read Time

Throughout the season of Easter, we are spending 6 weeks reading and preaching through the letter to the Hebrews. This letter is fascinating in part because we don’t know who wrote it or who exactly it was written to. Yet, the letter gives us a few key clues.

Who is the Book of Hebrews for?

First, the author assumes that the readers have extensive knowledge of the Hebrew Bible, so it’s fair to assume that the readers were Hebrew Christians, people who grew up Jewish and converted after the resurrection.

Secondly, there is a reference in chapter 10 to possible persecution that these believers are facing. It appears that these Christians were discouraged, to the point where some were walking away from the faith because of the difficulties they faced.

The author’s purpose is seemingly to remind the readers that Jesus is superior to the previous religious systems and icons, and to encourage/warn them to keep the faith in the midst of these trying times.

The simple idea of the letter is this: Jesus reigns supreme over all, and so we take solace and refuge in Christ’s authority and work when life becomes difficult.

The letter is broken up into a few sections. Jesus is first mentioned as being superior to angels. The simple idea is that these angels, messengers from God, had important messages to say to God’s people.

And yet, the message that Jesus shared of the kingdom of God, of forgiveness of sins, is superior to any message that angels have previously said. So, how much more should we, as Christians, pay attention to the teachings of Jesus than the Hebrews have paid attention to the teachings of the law (delivered by angels)?

Jesus and Moses

Then, we see the comparison of Jesus and Moses. Moses was the leader who led God’s people to the promised land, and led them to build the tabernacle, the location of God’s presence among his people. Jesus is now the leader of God’s people and yet has made it possible for God’s presence to be with every one of the followers of Him throughout the world.

The caution comes from the author of Hebrews in saying that just as generations of Israelites missed out on the promised land because of their lack of obedience to Moses’s teachings, we now do not want to miss out on entering into the rest and presence of God because of our own disobedience to Jesus’ teachings.

Jesus is then shown as superior to the priests. The priests were the people who mediated between God and his followers. They would offer sacrifices and intercede on behalf of the people, bringing reconciliation between God and sinful people. Moses’ brother, Aaron, is the first person in scripture to play a priestly role.

But like Aaron, who doesn’t obey the first task given to him by God and later goes on lead the people of Israel to break the first commandment, the priesthood of Israel has been fraught with greed, drunkenness, and all kinds of sin. It’s easy to see how Jesus, the sinless son of God, is a superior priest. He pronounces the forgiveness of sins by faith alone, and he himself perfectly fulfills the role of priest in a way that no one could before him.

The author’s caution now comes in saying that to walk away from Jesus because of persecution that you’re facing is to walk away from one’s best and only option to be reconciled to God.

Jesus and Sacrifice

Lastly, Jesus is shown to be superior to the sacrificial system that Jews had participated in for years. They had to offer continual sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. Now, Jesus has provided his sacrifice, that is sufficient one time and for all people to receive the forgiveness of sins. The author then begs people to accept the sacrifice Jesus has made on their behalf so they can be at peace with God. It’s an invitation into the new covenant that the prophets foretold, and that Jesus initiated at the Last Supper: a covenant for the forgiveness of sins for many.

What we see in the letter to the Hebrews is a beautiful picture of the character of Jesus and an overview of the work that his life, death, and resurrection has accomplished on our behalf.

Everything has changed because Christ has come.

Everything is better because He is the prophet, the king, the priest, the sacrifice, the leader, the Savior that we need. The Hebrews needed an encouragement to continue to follow in the midst of remarkably difficult times. The truth that we all can take from this letter, is realizing that by focusing on the supremacy and power of Christ, we can have the strength to continue during our own trials. Our hope is in Christ, and Christ alone. Not in a church, a religious leader, a denomination, or an offering, but in the presence, power, and work of Jesus of Nazareth.

So here on the Hill, we hope you’ll join us as we dive deeper into these sections of this wonderful letter to the Church and see how these powerful truths about Jesus impact our daily lives. Pastor Jeff kicked us off this past week by guiding us in how to really hear the Lord in walk with him.

You won’t want to miss the rest of this series. Looking forward to seeing you at 9:30am or 11am, here on the Hill.

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