Hebrews

Hebrews

An unknown writer explains that the recently converted Jews should not abandon their Christianity in favor of Judaism. Even if Judaism was a legal religion at the time it does not change the truth in Christ.

Jesus was fully a man, but he was fully God's appointed son. He consisted of %100 human and God flesh. We're not talking Two Face; we're talking both at the same time. The author is battling two fronts in this letter 1) that Jewish beliefs are enough for salvation and 2) that persecution is too hard to keep a faith going.

1) Hebrews 2:9 (New International Version) 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

2) Hebrews 3 1Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (New International Version) 12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness

Hebrews has two ways to avoid the temptation of falling away. 1) Think about Jesus and his sufferings. He went through everything first. He was tempted and perfected in his suffering. Jesus had to face every single pain a Christian must face and therefore we should come to him knowing he can handle anything.

2) Go to your brothers to be part of the community of encouragement.

Hebrews 4:2 (New International Version) 2For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.[a]

Nothing is concrete to the five senses. For every visible, testable conclusion there is a doubt waiting. Not because God's truth is not truthy enough, but because of sin and its habit of making things mirky. In the end, its the strength of our faith that truly tells us to hold on.

The author argues that because of the Hebrew's decision to fall away they won't be recieving the rest, which is a metaphor for the promised prize at the end of life. Similar to that is the Old Testament rebellion of the stagnate generation that complained in the wilderness. I think we fall into the same folly when we believe that a certain president will make everything better or a system of thinking like Going Green will help everything. That is not the goal. Only Christ is the goal for us sinners.

The writer urges his audience to trust in scripture which is sharper than a two edged sword, able to cut through the crap of deception and reveal the heart and attitude of a person. This audience had total fear of commitment and we're using the option to run back to Judaism as an excuse. Scripture had chewed them out and revealed this nasty lie.

4:13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Finally, the lack of commitment from the Hebrews caused them to be weak at their faith. The writer calls them on it and says that they were still on the Baby Formula of scripture and couldn't even handle Solid Food. A Christian must always train up in their relationship with God. You can't stay in the same place with God, just like you can't stay in the Honeymoon forever with your wife. You need to grow and get wise in your relationship.
Stay tuned for more.