Topic: Book of Hebrews

The book of Hebrews tells us that Christ Jesus is better than anything religion has to offer. All traditions of religion are incomplete compared to the person, work and ministry of Christ Jesus. Therefore, the theme of Hebrews is the superiority of our Lord Jesus.

Key verses:

Hebrews 1:1-2: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.”

Hebrews 4:14-16: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.”

Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The writer to the Hebrews repeatedly compares the inadequacies of the Old Testament sacrificial system to the perfection and completion of Christ. Where the Old Covenant required continual sacrifices and a once-a-year atonement for sin offered by a human priest, the New Covenant provides a once-for-all sacrifice through Christ (Hebrews 10:10) and direct access to the throne of God for all who are in Him (4:16).

Hebrews also gives us encouraging examples of God’s faith heroes who persevered in spite of great difficulties and adverse circumstances (Hebrews 11). These members of God’s Hall of Faith provide overwhelming evidence as to the absolute reliability of God. Likewise, we can maintain perfect confidence in God’s rich promises by meditating upon the faithfulness of God’s work in the lives of His Old Testament saints.

See you Sunday,

Dr. Scott Kallem