The Message of Hebrews: "Don't Give Up"
Introduction
There is a biblical principle that seems especially relevant as we begin our study of Hebrews. It can be stated this way,
"Without a vision of God as He is, there is no vision of the church as it could be; without a vision of the church as it could be, the reality of our vision of God comes into question." -- Leith Anderson in Dying for Change, p.168.
The Bible begins in Genesis not with a picture of what was wrong but with a picture of God and what was right. We are introduced by showing us how God envisioned His plan for us. This seems to be the perspective from which God chooses to work. Isaiah’s vision of God (Isaiah 6), for example, changed how Isaiah saw himself and from that, how he understood his mission. Hebrews does that for a people who had become discouraged and were about to give up. Hope was found in Christ’s work on their behalf and from that assurance, they could press on. Jesus was first seen as their Advocate, Friend, and Companion.
QUESTION Does the way the Bible begins make a difference with how we see God? What if it began with the fall of Adam and Eve instead of the Creation story? How would we likely view God?
What we learn this quarter from Hebrews will help us today to stay focused on Jesus. While we live in a world that seems to be growing darker and darker with the despairing reality of living in a sinful world, a renewed vision of who Jesus is will open doors of possibility for us, for the Church, and for those we meet.
Robert Kennedy paraphrased George Bernard Shaw when he said, ‘There are some people who look at the way things are and ask ‘Why?’; there are others who look at the way things could be and ask ‘Why not?’ -- Leith Anderson in Dying for Change, p.169.
As we begin, let’s keep reminding ourselves, “Why not!” Why not become the person, the Church, the neighbor, the husband or wife, God wants us to become? And then we must ask, “How does Jesus being in the heavenly sanctuary make it possible for us to be so optimistic?” To study the mediatorial work of Jesus, without a vision of who Jesus is, is to miss the point. Hebrews will help us get beyond the mechanics of salvation, so we can find the real thing. Is it any wonder why we are suggesting that the theme of Hebrews is “Don’t give up!”
The Author.
There is much debate about who wrote Hebrews but the best explanation that I have found, and one offered by Arthur Stele, former Director of the Biblical Research Institute at the General Conference. His conclusion is the same as that of Ellen White. Both believe that the Apostle Paul is the author of Hebrews. Because of the exhortation through the book Hebrews is more of a sermon than a letter. This would explain why there is no introductory paragraph typical of letters. Paul likely delivered his sermon in Hebrew because he was speaking to people who not only spoke Hebrew but who were embedded in Hebrew thought and culture. That sermon was then later translated into Greek. Paul’s experience on the Damascus Road gave him a new vision of who Jesus was, what Jesus could do, and, therefore, what the Church could become.
QUESTION What do you expect from a sermon? From a worship service?
When Are the Best Days?
After Pentecost, Christianity began to spread rapidly throughout the Mediterranean world. The early followers of Christ, however, faced serious challenges. The pagan society misunderstood and mistrusted both Christians and Jews. Christians seemed strange to the non-Christian. Roland Bainton, a historian, explained the perceived strangeness as resulting from their rejection of “luxury and personal adornment.”
Christian leaders admonished their flocks to refrain from attention to personal appearance. Women should not blacken their eyelids, rouge their cheeks, or perfume their bodies. Men should not pull out any hairs. Clothes should be undyed, for if God had wished purple clothes, he would have made purple sheep. (Roland H. Bainton in Christendom, vol.1, p.61)
The distrust of the early Christians was fueled by the belief that Christians were “atheists.” This came about because Christians did not believe in the Greek or Roman gods. Atheists of any kind were considered dangerous to the welfare of the community. There was also a common rumor, historians tell us, that Christians were not only guilty of being atheists but also practicing incest and cannibalism! Michael Green in Evangelism in the Early Church, explains why they were accused.
The Christians met in secret; they used realistic language about feeding on Christ in the Eucharist, they spoke of loving fellow-Christians, whom they called brothers and sisters in Christ. Gossiping lips and dirty minds did all the rest. (p.39)
Often today we hear the phrase “fake news. It is normally applied to the political scene but then it was then applied to the early Christians. This fed the flames for future persecution.
Hebrews does not specifically say to whom it was written. It does explain that in the past the readers had accepted the gospel about Jesus (2:3-4). At one time they had shown a strong commitment to Him even in times of persecution. However, society showed contempt and even hostility to those who identified with Jesus. Paul knew that apostasy was a possibility. No doubt, there was a temptation to return to “the good old days of Judaism” although Jews did not escape suspicion either.
QUESTION – Have you ever felt the sting of stigmas and prejudices because of your faith? How did you meet it? What enabled you to press on? Did you ever think it would be easier if you compromised and went back to the old way of living or believing?
Paul, likely the writer of Hebrews, faced this problem. He was concerned about those who had accepted Christ. Would their faith be able to endure the societal pressures levied against them? Satan worked hard then and now to discourage, to distract, to lead away from biblical truth. New believers are especially vulnerable. Note how Ellen White describes the work of Satan.
"Satan is constantly at work to wound and poison the soul; in order to withstand his efforts, we must breathe the atmosphere of heaven. We must individually get hold and keep hold of Christ." (MS 16, 1890).
Just as people have their different high and low days, so do religious movements or organizations. I remember being a new member of a church where the "golden years" of the past were often used as the measurement of success. For some members, success revolved around a particular pastor. It was during his time that the church was full. Of course, the community had changed since then but the “golden years” were fresh in their memories. Trying to relive those same “golden years” is not possible. Change is inevitable. This raises three important points that are relevant as we review Paul's sermon to the Hebrews.
1. When there is a group that senses the best days are gone forever, change for a better future is extremely difficult.
2. 2. Those who think the best days are now will have a much more positive perspective but may not be motivated to make changes for the fear that today’s successes will be at risk.
3. 3. Some think the best days are yet to come. In this case, the atmosphere of anticipation is conducive for making the changes that are needed to deal with the future. (Adapted from Leith Anderson in Dying for Change, pp.155-156).
QUESTION Which of the three listed possibilities characterizes us today?
Building Hope in Times of Hurt,
Disappointment, and Crisis
Paul is speaking to a group who was well versed in the teachings of the Old Testament, in the Levitical rituals. With this being the case, Moses was a leading spokesman for God. As difficulties mounted some were drawn back to the “golden days” when the Levitical practices with priests, high priests, animal sacrifices, and the sanctuary were high points. Some believed that
If Jewish Christians relapsed into Judaism, it is implied, this would not involve a renunciation of ‘the living God’; relapsing into Judaism would at least mean that they. Continued to worship the God of Israel. – FF Bruce in Commentary o the Epistle to the Hebrews, p.xxvi.
QUESTION: Does it really matter what we believe, if we believe in God?
The better/supreme Revelation - Hebrews 1:1-4
The better Name - Hebrews 1:5-2:18
The better Leader - Hebrews 3:1-4:16
The better Priest - Hebrew 5:1-6:20
The better Priesthood - Hebrews 7:1-27
The better Sanctuary - Hebrews 8:1-6
The better Covenant - Hebrews 8:7-13
The better Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:1-10:18
The better Country - Hebrews 10:12-12:2
The better City - Hebrews 12:3-13:25
Paul wanted to assure his audience that God spoke in different time periods “long ago,” but also “in these last days.” He speaks through His “Son.” (Heb. 1:1-3) Should there be any doubt, Jesus is superior to angels.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. (Heb. 1:4,5)
God’s revelation is progressive but that doesn’t mean from something true to something more true! Rather, it is a movement of a progressive revelation of Himself to humanity. They needed to see Jesus more fully as he is the ultimate revelation of God.
Jesus Our King
Paul makes seven affirming points about Jesus.
Jesus is “appointed heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2)
2. Jesus was the Father’s Creation Agent “through whom he also created the worlds” (Heb. 1:14)
3. Jesus “is the reflection of God’s glory” (Heb. 1:3)
4. Jesus “sustains all things by his powerful word” (Heb. 1:3)
5. Jesus “had made purification for sins” (Heb. 1:3)
6. Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3)
7. Jesus has “become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs” (Heb1:4)
QUESTION: Why is it important to recognize Jesus as being superior to other ways God has communicated with us?
Jesus Our Mediator
A mediator is a person who stands between two parties to bring a settlement or to establish a relationship. In Judaism, Moses is the primary mediator of the Sinai covenant (Gal. 3:19,20). that “there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). Hebrews now says that Jesus “is the mediator of a better covenant” (Heb. 8:6, 9:15, 12:24)
QUESTION: If Jesus is the Mediator, who are the two parties? God and His people?
What was the basis of the two covenants? The first which is now obsolete was symbolically built on sacrifices of the blood of bulls and goats. Symbols could not take away sins. For this reason, the first covenant was obsolete.
The second covenant God chose no mere mortal priest. Instead, He chose One who lives forever (Heb. 7:24)! Christ offered Himself once for all (Heb. 7:24)! He came to remove sin through His own sacrifice (Heb. 9:26). It is for this reason that the second covenant is superior.
Can you imagine how much this sermon was needed! Can you understand how with the lack of Jesus’ presence that some felt the desire to return to the “golden years”? They needed the reassurance that they had not been abandoned and in fact, He was working on their behalf despite the hardships they were facing. Not only were their sins forgiven they lived with the presence of Jesus among them. God’s word was not erased nor were His promises. God was faithful. God came through for them. Hope was revived and lives were changed because of it
Concluding Thoughts
Most Americans think that if something is in the Congressional Record it must be true. But that’s not necessarily the case. A member of Congress can place anything he or she jolly well pleases into the record. Much worse, the same Congress member can come back later and change the official record to suit his or her fancy. Not only can they erase embarrassing gaffs. They can add intuitive insertions to make themselves look better than reality would suggest.
QUESTION: How is God different from Congress?
God’s plan doesn’t work that way. We can’t go to our sinful record and cross out and write in what we want to make us look better than we are. Jesus can. In place of our sins is His life. In place of weaknesses is His promised strength. We can’t but God can. Writing to Titus Paul put it this way,
The Message paraphrases Titus 3:3-8 this way,
"It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this."
Heaven has given us the “possibility” of having a new start. From that start, we see life through a very different lens. We hear the words, “Don’t give up!” Hope replaces despair. The world around us may be crumbling but
". . .hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).
Next week Dave will lead us in the study of “The Promised Son.”
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