Week 51a--Hebrews

Hmmm...13 chapters of power and I can only write one post...better get cracking.

Hebrews--author unknown--begins by establishing God’s supremacy over all, Jesus’ equality with God, and Jesus’ supremacy over the angels. The writer begins a pattern of quoting many Old Testament verses. While the book does not immediately begin with a greeting, as Paul’s letters do, it is written for a Hebrew audience familiar with the Scriptures.

The letter explains that while Jesus was indeed far superior to all creation, for a time he was made “lower than the angels,” (2:7) or made human, for this was the only way to bring salvation. Jesus had to experience life, stare down temptation, experience and defeat death in order to purchase our freedom. My freedom.

Next, the same double-edged promise is repeated, the one God has been giving since the Exodus: “If you obey, if you believe, if you are joined with us, you will enter into His rest. If not, there is no rest or peace for you.” How will God fulfill this promise? Through the work of the Great High Priest, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice.

Hebrews next describes the priesthood of Christ. He couldn’t be a priest according to the law, since he was not of the tribe of Levi; he is a priest “of the order of Melchizedek” (5:6).

Who?

Way back in Genesis 14, just after God called Abraham, he met with Melchizedek, who was the king of Salem and also a priest of God Most High; he was also the first person mentioned who received a tithe.

There isn’t a specific order of Melchiedekian priests today (that I could find in 5 minutes of Googling). Hebrews does, though, point out several similarities between Melchizedek and Jesus. Both served God directly. Neither was of the tribe of Levi (there was no tribe of Levi in Genesis 14...). Both, according to Hebrews 7, remain priests forever. There is no record of Melchizedek’s death; some scholars say that he didn’t die, but rather walked with God as Enoch had done.

Why does the writer of Hebrews spend 3 whole chapters on the priesthood of Jesus? Otherwise, the Jews would not accept a priest who was not a Levite. Jesus was fulfilling prophecy from Psalm 110 when God declared Him a priest. Hebrews 5-7 is the elaborate proof of this fulfillment. Also, priests no longer need to make sacrifices because Jesus has made the final perfect sacrifice--and it’s a good thing, too, because the temple was destroyed in 70 AD and there is no longer any place to make sacrifices, even today.

So, how does Jesus function as a priest? First, he “lives to make intercession for” us (7:25). He also fulfills the new covenant, for a new time, in which God will write His name on His children’s hearts. The earthly temple is described, which its room, furnishings, and necessary sacrifices. But Jesus serves in a heavenly sanctuary, one not built by human hands, again, having served as the final sacrifice “once for all” (7:27). It is here that we learn that without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (9:22).

Hebrews also confirms what was said in Leviticus--the law cannot make you perfect. It is the LORD who sanctifies you. The blood of all the bulls and sheep on the planet is not enough to cleanse us. It took one Lamb--the Lamb of God.

So now what? We are still fallen, still sinners. We still screw up. But God forgives. We cannot--no, we MUST not--trample on the sacrifice of Jesus by continuing to sin intentionally. We must love God and serve him with all our hearts ad have faith in our salvation.

For after all, “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (11:1). Hebrews 11 is known by some as the “Hall of Faith” for it lists 19 people who stepped out in faith to obey God. These 19 and many more “men of who the world was not worthy” (11:38) make up the “great cloud of witnesses” mentioned in 12:1. For our sake, Jesus endured the cross and “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2).

I must say, when I read this phrase, I do not see a solemn procession with robes and crowns. Rather, I see Jesus walking back in, giving God a double high-five and a great big hug, and both of them sitting down and settling down into their thrones. Jesus puts his foot up on his knee--they are both laughing.

We are to work together to strengthen each other, the writer of Hebrews tells us, preparing for our own glorious reunion with the Father. We, too, shall “receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken” (12:28).

Hebrews ends with many short instructions on how to live. The letter ends with a blessing of grace, similar to Paul’s letters, with personal notes about Timothy and the author wanting to come visit the Hebrews.

As I finish reading this letter, I am left with a great understanding of my faith, a great hope for my future in Christ, and a great determination to live my life to honor and serve my King.