"Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who...serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord...." (From Hebrews 8: 1, 2--NIV)
Here are some thoughts on Hebrews after this quarter's reading:
Hebrews is a Bible summation. It was written to Hebrew Believers, whom some today might call, "Messianic." Historically, however, they were just like you and me, Followers of Jesus. My race or ethnicity does not define me in Jesus, His Church, His Kingdom; my obedience to Jesus does. But I think the Godhead was communicating to the Jews that they should be "leading the way" to Gospel proclamation, for, as our Lord Jesus said, "Salvation is of the Jews."
We could say perhaps that Hebrews reveals the "unfolding" of Biblical truth, revelation. Hebrews goes clear back to the creation of the Universe, back to Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek, and what Stephen in the Book of Acts referred to as, "the Tabernacle of witness in the wilderness," and in that, "Tabernacle of witness," Hebrews reveals the person of the Christ, Who He Is, what He does, and for whom He does it, "Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who...serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord," and it was, "set up by the Lord," to bring us into Himself and, "the household of faith," aka, His Family.
Hebrews tells us, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." Hebrews tells us that no one can enter the Presence of God just any way he chooses. Hebrews explains what God told Moses in Leviticus 16:2, "The Lord said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark...." Hebrews reveals the fulfillment of "Tabernacle Life," when the Holy Spirit tells us, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus," not by worship, not by prayer, not by some song leader hype. My invitation to Presence is, "by the blood of Jesus," and only, "by the blood of Jesus."
I just read in Mark yesterday that when Jesus died on the Cross, "the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom." Notice, "from top to bottom." Or, "from top (God)," and, "to bottom (me)." God did it, not you nor I. And because our Salvation is a "top-to-bottom" Salvation, I need never doubt it.
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You that You "started" all of this, not me; therefore, I know there is no end. Amen.
Here are some thoughts on Hebrews after this quarter's reading:
Hebrews is a Bible summation. It was written to Hebrew Believers, whom some today might call, "Messianic." Historically, however, they were just like you and me, Followers of Jesus. My race or ethnicity does not define me in Jesus, His Church, His Kingdom; my obedience to Jesus does. But I think the Godhead was communicating to the Jews that they should be "leading the way" to Gospel proclamation, for, as our Lord Jesus said, "Salvation is of the Jews."
We could say perhaps that Hebrews reveals the "unfolding" of Biblical truth, revelation. Hebrews goes clear back to the creation of the Universe, back to Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek, and what Stephen in the Book of Acts referred to as, "the Tabernacle of witness in the wilderness," and in that, "Tabernacle of witness," Hebrews reveals the person of the Christ, Who He Is, what He does, and for whom He does it, "Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who...serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord," and it was, "set up by the Lord," to bring us into Himself and, "the household of faith," aka, His Family.
Hebrews tells us, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." Hebrews tells us that no one can enter the Presence of God just any way he chooses. Hebrews explains what God told Moses in Leviticus 16:2, "The Lord said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark...." Hebrews reveals the fulfillment of "Tabernacle Life," when the Holy Spirit tells us, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus," not by worship, not by prayer, not by some song leader hype. My invitation to Presence is, "by the blood of Jesus," and only, "by the blood of Jesus."
I just read in Mark yesterday that when Jesus died on the Cross, "the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom." Notice, "from top to bottom." Or, "from top (God)," and, "to bottom (me)." God did it, not you nor I. And because our Salvation is a "top-to-bottom" Salvation, I need never doubt it.
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You that You "started" all of this, not me; therefore, I know there is no end. Amen.
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Along with articles on our Blog, I am adding some of my own comments on current events: jhs58.blogspot.com
Along with articles on our Blog, I am adding some of my own comments on current events: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
