I have just concluded today my daily reading through the book of Hebrews. I have to say, Hebrews has become one of my favorite books of the Bible. Mainly because there is so much to be learned about Jesus in it. This litarary work of the Scriptures is incredibly rich in it's content, and the theological depth of it is immense. I thoroughly enjoy reading, digesting, and meditating on the things that are written in it.
No one knows for sure just who wrote Hebrews. From what I 've heard, most scholars and Bible teachers generally agree that it may have been written by Paul the apostle, but with one catch. It lacks many of the trademark features that Paul's epistles normally contained, such as his signature greeting, praises of thanksgiving, his closing exhortations, and his signature sign-off. This doesn't necessarily mean he did not write it, but it does cast doubt on the possibility. I've also heard that either Apollos or Barnabas could have written it. Whatever the case may be, the man of God who wrote it was truly a man of God indeed, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to write the words exactly as God saw fit to put them.
As I said before, there is much to be learned about the Person, ministry, and mission of Jesus Christ. The Deity of Jesus is clearly seen right at the beginning to the book in chapter 1 verse 3 where it say that He was the 'express image of His person'. I like the way the writer puts it. When we are seeing Jesus, when we gaze upon Jesus, we are looking at the personification of the eternal God. When we are reading about and studying the Person of Jesus, we're really studying God Himself. God is triune, consisting of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each distinct, and yet One. This is an amazing thought, and far beyond human comprehension. But it is true, we can be sure that when Jesus said the 'before Abraham was, I am' in John chapter 8 verse 58, it was none other than God Himself testifying that He is who He says He is.
As you read on deeper into the book of Hebrews, you find much written about the old covenant, the tabernacle, and the earthly ministry of the priests. You will also find so much written about Christ, and the superiority of His finished work at the cross, and how the earthly ministy - the sacrificing of bulls and goats for sin - was superseded by Jesus finished work at the cross of Calvary, because He Himself became the perfect sacrifice for us. Jesus died in our stead that we might inherit eternal life in His name.
Jesus, as the writer says, was the Mediator of a better covenant for us that was established upon better promises. When Jesus came to earth in the form of a baby, He was destined for the cross. His death demonstrated that God is for us, not against us. He died so that we and God could be reconciled. It's fascinating to me how Jesus entered into what was called the 'Holy of Holies' for us. This was a place inside the Tabernacle that contained the Ark of the Covenant rested. Once a year, the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies, and sprinkle the blood on the mercy sit to make reconciliation for the sins of himself, and for the sins of the people. When blood was applied, the law no longer testified against the people.
But Jesus, being the Author and Finisher of our faith, and Mediator of a better covenant, entered into the Holy of Holies for us, having died on the cross, and purchasing for us eternal redemtion. The blood of animals could not fully cleanse a sin sick soul, it required the blood of a Perfect Man. God stepped off His throne, and emptied Himself for us, that we might be filled with Himself, and clothed with His everlasting Righteousness. It was at the cross where Jesus paid the ultimate penalty for our sins, and this He did once for all men for all time. It was the perfect gift, it was the perfect sacrifice. Like the high priest of the Levitical priesthood in the days of Moses and Aaron, Jesus became our faithful High Priest, and made Himself the sacrifice for us. Truly no greater act of mercy has ever been done!
All because of what Jesus did for us at the cross, we can now approach His throne and find grace. Jesus bought us gifts we could have otherwise never gotten ourselves - forgiveness, redemption, salvation, reconciliation, eternal life - these are what He offers us if we simply come to the foot of the cross, and recieve what He did for us. Jesus is the One and only King who came from heaven to earth, to show Himself to us, teach us, lead us and guide us, and die for us. He is our Shepherd, and He is our King. There is much more in the book of Hebrews that I haven't touched on, but I am in awe of what is in there, and so for at the present time, I think what's written in this latest blog post will do.
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