December 21: Hebrews 1-6

December 21, Hebrews 1-6

Hebrews intro from the ESV Bible: “The letter to the Hebrews was written to encourage Christians in a time of trial. It does so by focusing on the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. While God spoke in the past “many times and in many ways,” he has now spoken to us “by his Son,” Jesus Christ, who is the “exact imprint” of God’s nature and who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (1:1–3). Jesus accomplished complete salvation for all who trust in him (1:1–10:18). We dare not “neglect such a great salvation” (2:3; 5:12–6:20; 10:19–39). Rather, in our faith and in our everyday living, we should imitate the example of Christ and of those on the honor roll of faith (chs. 11–13). This letter, whose author is unknown, was probably written between a.d. 60 and 70.” Today’s summary is taken directly from Bakers Commentary. 

Hebrews 1 “The central figure in chapter 1 is the Son of God, who is introduced not by name but rather as Creator of the universe, Redeemer of his people, and King who rules at God’s right hand. The author of Hebrews formulates themes that he develops in the remainder of his epistle.

The Son of God is superior to angels, says the author of Hebrews. He writes not to discredit angels, but to direct attention to the exalted position of the Son. He proves his point by quoting from the Old Testament seven times, chiefly from the Book of Psalms. The author shows that the Son of God is eternal and unchangeable, and rules in royal splendor, seated at God’s right hand. Angels, by contrast, are ministering spirits who are told to serve the elect people of God.”

Hebrews 2 “The Epistle to the Hebrews is characterized by teaching and pastoral admonition—the writer is a teacher and a pastor. As a spiritual overseer he constantly admonishes his readers to listen attentively and obediently to God’s Word. He shows a genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of the recipients of his letter.

One of those readers perhaps asked if Jesus, the divine Son of God, is unacquainted with human nature. The answer is given in the form of a lengthy quotation from Psalm 8. Jesus “was made a little lower than the angels” but now, because of his death, resurrection, and ascension, is “crowned with glory and honor.” Jesus fulfilled the words of Psalm 8 and through this fulfillment has obtained salvation for his people. No angel could have fulfilled the task that Jesus accomplished by “tast[ing] death for everyone.” He is one with his brothers because together they constitute the family of God. Jesus, the Son of God, is truly human and fully identifies with his brothers. Because of this identity, Jesus has “become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God.” He sets his people free from sin and stands with them in their times of trial and temptation. Jesus sympathetically and at the same time intimately understands the problems believers face.”

Hebrews 3 “In the first two chapters of the epistle, the author of Hebrews compared Jesus and the angels. In chapter 3 he compares Jesus and Moses. The Jews revered Moses because of his close relationship with God. Moses’ career was characterized by faithfulness—no one disputes that fact. However, with a fitting illustration of servant (Moses in God’s house) and Son (Jesus over God’s house), the writer of Hebrews clearly demonstrates the superiority of Jesus.

Psalm 95:7–10 is a unique citation, filled with disheartening information about Israel’s rebellion and apostasy in the wilderness. The author of Hebrews warns his readers not to fall into the trap of unbelief which leads to a falling away from the living God. The writer stresses the corporate responsibility of the Christian community in warning the individual believer not to turn away from God but to continue to be strong in the faith. The author applies the words of Psalm 95:7–10 directly to his hearers; for him the message is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. In a sense, Hebrews 3:12 may be called one of the nerve centers of the epistle.”

Hebrews 4 “The focus in chapter 4 is not so much on the unbelieving Israelites who refused to obey God as it is on the believers who in faith enter God’s promised rest. The unbelieving desert travelers failed to listen to God’s voice and perished on the way to the land God had promised. The Christian who lives by faith enters into God’s rest, the Sabbath-rest for the people of God. And this entrance into rest can be accomplished only by listening obediently to the gospel.

The first thirteen verses of this chapter form an introduction to the author’s discussion about the high priesthood of Jesus the Son of God. Already in 2:17–18 the author introduced this subject, which in succeeding chapters he fully develops and explains.”

Hebrews 5 “In the religious life of the Jew, no man received greater esteem than the high priest. Under his supervision were the priests who were commissioned to take charge of routine tasks. The high priest, man’s representative before God, entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement and sprinkled blood for the remission of sin. Aaron was the first high priest to enter into the presence of God behind the curtain in the ancient tabernacle.

However, Jesus is superior to Aaron because Jesus “has gone through the heavens.” That is, he entered into the very presence of God, whereas the high priests were accustomed merely to entering the symbolical presence in the tabernacle or temple once a year. In his glorified human nature, Jesus has entered the presence of God. Fully acquainted with human weaknesses and temptations, he intercedes in our behalf when we approach the throne of God in prayer.

The author of Hebrews depicts Jesus in his role of high priest, fulfilling the responsibilities of the high priesthood of Aaron and assuming the priesthood in the order of Melchizedek. As a priest in the order of Melchizedek, Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for sin. This fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament sacrificial system.

God appointed Jesus as high priest not when Jesus entered heaven, but prior to his coming to earth. According to Psalm 110:4 (“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek”; italics added), Jesus’ priesthood is eternal. He was already priest before he began his earthly life.”

Hebrews 6 “The chapter which begins at 5:11 and ends at 6:20 is a lengthy pastoral exhortation. It is an interlude. Before the author explains the doctrine of the high priesthood of Christ in the order of Melchizedek, he exhorts his readers to faithfulness. First, he admonishes them because of their dullness in learning the basic doctrines of God’s Word. Next, he delineates what these elementary teachings are: repentance, faith, baptism, ordination, resurrection, and judgment. He exhorts the recipients of his letter to advance in their understanding of these teachings.

Throughout the epistle the author warns the Christians against the sin of unbelief (3:12; 4:1, 11; 10:26, 29; 12:15, 28–29). He describes the rebellious Israelites who perished in the desert because of this sin (3:16–19). In 6:4–6 the author pursues that same theme by referring to those persons who have hardened their hearts after receiving a knowledge of the truth. These people continue to crucify Jesus and to despise him. They do so in open rebellion. For such persons, says the author, there is no possibility of being brought back to repentance. They are lost forever.

This observation serves as a warning to the readers not to fall into the sin of unbelief, but to demonstrate their diligence in exhibiting the qualities of faith, hope, and love. The author singles out the virtue of hope and encourages them to make hope a priority in their spiritual lives. He commends them for their loving care shown to people in need and assures them that they are the recipients of the blessings of salvation. He exhorts them to cultivate hope. He points to Jesus, the forerunner who has entered heaven as high priest and who by his presence in heaven guarantees them entrance.

Hope is anchored in the finished work of Christ, who atoned for the sins of his people.”

To sum it all up: 

• It all points to Jesus. Everything is for Him and about Him. 
• If we claim Christ, our lives should directly reflect that.