August 11, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the next 13 days we will be spending time together walking through the book of Hebrews! Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians who were undergoing persecution for their faith and considering running back to Judaism. The author of Hebrews takes an in-depth look at the practices and regulations of the Old Testament as articulated in the Torah and argues for how Jesus is both superior to each of them and supreme over all of them! The author also warns his audience of the grave danger facing them should they choose to now reject Jesus and return to their former way of life. These warnings can and should make us feel uncomfortable as we read through the book together; allow the Spirit to do what He wants to do in your heart through them! Overall, the message of Hebrews is that Jesus, the Son of God as well as our Savior and Messiah, is infinitely superior to anything or anyone else we could give our lives to, and He is worthy of all our devotion and worship. Jesus is greater!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the concluding chapter of Hebrews the author gives a few practical applications of the truths he has elaborated on throughout the rest of the letter as well as invoking a blessing on his readers and greeting them. He tells his readers to leave behind their love for and attachment to the things of this world and join in the reproach that Christ endured for us on the cross, and then he commands them to continually offer their praise and worship to God (v.13-16)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the letter the author has repeatedly spoken of how Christ\u2019s blood has \u201ccleansed\u201d, \u201csanctified\u201d, and \u201cperfected\u201d us. In his blessing towards his audience, he now reminds us that this kind of transforming, redeeming power which exists in Jesus\u2019 blood is not an end in itself; God empowers us through it, equipping us with every good thing in order to do His will!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have been cleansed, been forgiven and set apart and made new in Christ Jesus, not simply in order to change our eternal destiny but in order for our lives here on earth to be lived in obedience and surrender towards God. He desires to use us to build His Kingdom and to advance His gospel, and through the blood of Jesus He gives us everything we need in order to do it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s seek His will and His Kingdom, trusting in the power, greatness, glory, and love of Jesus which surpasses anything and everything else! He really is greater!<\/p>\n\n\n\n