Hebrews – Page 6 – Be Still…

Hebrews 3:1-6 – Be the Church

Read Hebrews 3:1-6

We have seen the author speaking to the supremacy of Jesus in these first few chapters. However, today the focus shifts to a comparison of Jesus and Moses, through whom the law was given on Mt. Sinai. For the new Jewish believer (the original audience of this Book), Moses was a very important figure in Jewish tradition. It was Moses who was used by God to free their people from slavery as they were led to the promised land. I don’t believe this text was meant in any way to downplay Moses as the hero he was. Yet, we see again that Jesus’ power is greater than what we can already fathom.

The focus then shifts to God’s whole house, the church, and who is in charge. We are the church. Moses was a servant just as are we. Jesus built the church and is in charge of the church. It’s up to us to serve and to “keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.” Sometimes that can be hard when the world closes in around us.

Hebrews 2:10-18 – You Are Chosen

Read Hebrews 2:10-18

Jesus is the Son of God, but we are also God’s children. “So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father.” We are chosen to be made holy. Let that sink in for just a moment. As children of God, we are recognized as brothers and sisters to Christ.

Old Testament prophecy comes alive as Jesus quoted the Psalms and Isaiah. He said to God: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

Hebrews 2:5-9 – Why the Cross?

Read Hebrews 2:5-9

The Preacher shifts our thinking here about Jesus. While Jesus is still all the wonderful things he was lauded for in the first chapter, we see how Jesus’ humanity stripped him of the full expression of that momentarily. Some people will ask, if Jesus was God, why did he let himself be killed? Others may say, how can God die?

Why the cross? That seems like the next question. Such a brutal way to die.“[B]ecause he suffered death for us, he is now ‘crowned with glory and honor.’ Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.” Jesus has gone before us. He not only experienced what it was like to live as a human, but also to die as one. Yet when Jesus died, he conquered death!

Hebrews 2:1-4 – Listen and Look

Read Hebrews 2:1-4

Now the Preacher, how I’ll refer to the writer of Hebrews, takes our focus off the majesty of Jesus to give us a warning about own lives. Maybe you can recall a time in your life when you felt far from Jesus? The evil one lures us to drift away from God. Being reminded of that is so helpful.

We experience daily attacks from the evil one attempting to take control of our lives and make us forget about God. The Preacher gives us two paths to take to keep ourselves on track. We need to “listen for God” and “look for God” every day.

Hebrews 1:5-14 – What About the Angels?

Read Hebrews 1:5-14

Have you ever seen an angel? I used to love the show, “Touched by an Angel.” “Highway to Heaven” was another favorite back in the day. Those are just cheesy television, but the message was always uplifting, a “feel good” kind of show. But my picture of angels has been influenced by those kinds of examples. We uncover a lot more of the mystery surrounding angels in this reading.

Here, the writer is quick to distinguish a hierarchy between angels and God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The focus on Christ’s superiority continues. Words like throne and justice are powerful and signify importance. Jesus is Lord, creator, and God. God himself calls Jesus out as God, “Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,” There is nobody greater than Jesus. Angels may have an audience with God, but their authority and power is not equal to Jesus.