Sometimes it’s tempting to think that we are the only ones who understand suffering. As the old song goes, “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen.” Hebrews 3 challenges that notion.
The chapter begins with the word, “therefore.” Whenever you see the word, “therefore,” you should ask what it’s there for. This therefore points us back to the conversation at the end of chapter 2 about how Jesus shared in our flesh and blood and experienced suffering, death, and also temptation. Because He was tempted, “he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Because of that we are to, “consider Jesus,” that is, think about Him and ponder what He has done to help all of us who are tempted in any way.
The author calls him the “Apostle and High Priest” of our confession. As we confess our faith, Jesus is our “apostle” which means, “sent one.” He is the one God sent to us to reveal his love to us, to help us face temptation, and to save us from our sins. He is also our high priest. Today we often think of priestly work in terms of leading worship services, preaching, praying and teaching. In biblical terms the main way people though of a priest’s work was in offering their sacrifices to God. The high priest in particular offered the most important sacrifice for atonement – covering for our sins. Jesus offered that sacrifice in His suffering and death.
This is an amazing event and is even greater than the Exodus, when God through Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. The salvation of Exodus was for a people whom God had chosen as a particular possession. The salvation Jesus won was for the whole house of God, which includes everyone who has faith in Him. The glory of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection is unsurpassed even though the glory was won (maybe because it was won) through suffering!
However, we should learn a lesson from those who experienced the glorious salvation of the Exodus. We are warned to take care lest we fall away.
I sometimes hear the statement, “We don’t need to hear about the cross and sin. We know all that.” Hebrews offers a caution to that comment so that we will not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We are reminded that despite the fact that the Israelites had seen the plagues in Egypt, walked through the Red Sea on dry ground, eaten manna in the wilderness and had even heard God’s voice on Mt. Sinai, they still rebelled against Him.
Hebrews 3:14 says that, “we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” What is our original confidence?
It is forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our original confidence is that Jesus’ blood covers our sins and washes them away so that we can return to our Father in Heaven. Our original confidence comes from the fact that God chose to act on our behalf and He sent his Son (apostle) as the sacrifice (high priest) to redeem us because He loves us.
“Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” says the author, quoting Psalm 95. Don’t over look God’s calling to repent, but live obediently in forgiveness.
Father in Heaven, help me to never take forgiveness for granted. Help me to hold on to the cross as the key to my relationship with you, and help me to be obedient to you for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
The chapter begins with the word, “therefore.” Whenever you see the word, “therefore,” you should ask what it’s there for. This therefore points us back to the conversation at the end of chapter 2 about how Jesus shared in our flesh and blood and experienced suffering, death, and also temptation. Because He was tempted, “he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Because of that we are to, “consider Jesus,” that is, think about Him and ponder what He has done to help all of us who are tempted in any way.
The author calls him the “Apostle and High Priest” of our confession. As we confess our faith, Jesus is our “apostle” which means, “sent one.” He is the one God sent to us to reveal his love to us, to help us face temptation, and to save us from our sins. He is also our high priest. Today we often think of priestly work in terms of leading worship services, preaching, praying and teaching. In biblical terms the main way people though of a priest’s work was in offering their sacrifices to God. The high priest in particular offered the most important sacrifice for atonement – covering for our sins. Jesus offered that sacrifice in His suffering and death.
This is an amazing event and is even greater than the Exodus, when God through Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. The salvation of Exodus was for a people whom God had chosen as a particular possession. The salvation Jesus won was for the whole house of God, which includes everyone who has faith in Him. The glory of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection is unsurpassed even though the glory was won (maybe because it was won) through suffering!
However, we should learn a lesson from those who experienced the glorious salvation of the Exodus. We are warned to take care lest we fall away.
I sometimes hear the statement, “We don’t need to hear about the cross and sin. We know all that.” Hebrews offers a caution to that comment so that we will not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We are reminded that despite the fact that the Israelites had seen the plagues in Egypt, walked through the Red Sea on dry ground, eaten manna in the wilderness and had even heard God’s voice on Mt. Sinai, they still rebelled against Him.
Hebrews 3:14 says that, “we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” What is our original confidence?
It is forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our original confidence is that Jesus’ blood covers our sins and washes them away so that we can return to our Father in Heaven. Our original confidence comes from the fact that God chose to act on our behalf and He sent his Son (apostle) as the sacrifice (high priest) to redeem us because He loves us.
“Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” says the author, quoting Psalm 95. Don’t over look God’s calling to repent, but live obediently in forgiveness.
Father in Heaven, help me to never take forgiveness for granted. Help me to hold on to the cross as the key to my relationship with you, and help me to be obedient to you for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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