THIS WEEK:
The author of Hebrews has a high “Christology.” This means that he or she fully believes in and emphasizes the divinity of Jesus. Did you see this in your reading this week? When you think about Jesus, do you struggle with his divinity, or do you take it for granted?
Despite all that we read in Hebrews 1, the author of Hebrews also fully affirms the humanity of Jesus (see, for example, 2:14-17 or 5:7). When you think about Jesus, do you struggle with his humanity? Or is this a given for you?
Hebrews not only explains how Jesus surpasses the Old Covenant; it also reveals how the Old Covenant existed to foreshadow Christ. For example, Moses was a foreshadowing of Jesus as an intercessor (3:1-6), Joshua and the conquest for a foreshadowing of the rest that Christ brings (4:8-11), the priesthood was a foreshadowing of Jesus as high priest (5:1-10), etc. As you read Hebrews, let it open your eyes to the purposes of the Old Testament. Do you begin to see other places where the Old Testament prepared the way for Jesus?
Chapter 7 talks about Melchizedek. This is an interesting figure in the Old Testament who is only referenced in two passages: Genesis 14:17-24 and Psalm 110. What parallels do you see between Jesus and Melchizedek, and what parallels does the author of Hebrews highlight? How does this help you understand Jesus more fully?
NEXT WEEK:
Hebrews ends with some of the most famous passages in Scripture, including chapter 11, the “roll of faith.” Note the ending of this chapter, where our names are added to the roll with the great heroes. What an honor!
Chapter 12 speaks of the "great cloud of witnesses” who surround us in our quest to follow Christ. Who do you imagine as part of that cloud (in addition to those mentioned in Chapter 11)?
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, keeping our eyes set on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Peace,
Jim