Delve Into Matthew, Hebrews, and JamesExemplo

DAY 4 – HEBREWS II 

The book is cast in the form of a letter. Even though it lacks the customary opening elements (name of author and recipients, etc.), it concludes with the personal greetings that were characteristic of letters of the time. However, it’s really a series of sermons. It alternates between teachings, such as reviews of Israelite history and worship arrangements, and exhortations (challenges) based on the truths these teachings disclose. It thus consists essentially of four teaching-exhortation pairs, and each pair is a sermon in itself. The four topics that are taken up in succession are: 

• Jesus is much greater than the angels, so the salvation he announced is much greater than “the message spoken through angels” (that is, the law of Moses). 

• Jesus is our “apostle” (someone sent by God on a specific mission), and he brings us into a promised land that is greater than the one the “apostles” Moses and Joshua brought the people of Israel into. 

• Jesus is our “high priest,” and his advocacy for us in that position is more effective than that of the priests appointed by the law of Moses. 

• We must respond to all that God has done through Jesus by stepping out in faith—by living in light of unseen heavenly realities, as faithful people have done throughout the ages. 

The first sermon is really a prelude, and the fourth sermon is an application of the preceding ones. The core of the book is therefore found in the second and third sermons. These are introduced intentionally by the statement, “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.” 

The goal of the whole book is to demonstrate the superiority of the heavenly realities of the new covenant to the earthly ones of the old covenant, and thus to encourage the recipients to respond to every earthly situation, including the threat of persecution, in light of heavenly realities. This means not seeking refuge in a previous identity but rather being willing to suffer if necessary to remain faithful to Jesus.

PRAYER: I say with confidence: You are my helper, I will not be afraid. I know You will never leave me or forsake me.