March 22, 2009

Review of Hebrews to Chapter 8

One would start with a stretched, white canvas. Then stroke by stroke, line by line smear by smear, the tiny detail is laid on layer by layer until finally we have Whistler’s Mother or “Mona-Lisa,” Great works of art.

But with the picture of Jesus we have been painting with words it isn’t like that. As Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:8 “Whom having not seen we love…” We have many parts of the portrait, many descriptions of the beautiful savior, but never can our finite mind piece together and comprehend all that is Jesus.

So far in Hebrews we have had painted for us a verbal picture of our savior and since we have had ma few breaks the book bears a full review.

Back in Chapter 1 verse 2 we learned that Jesus is God’s final revelation. If you want to know God, study Jesus Christ for He is the one through whom God has spoken in these last days.

The writer then describes this “final revelation”, Jesus, as first off, the heir of all things. Everything that ever exists in God’s creation is to be under the ownership o Jesus Christ. (Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. )

Secondly we see that God made the worlds through the agency of Jesus Christ. Matter, eons, history, all that exists in time and space was made by Jesus Christ.

Now on the verse 3 of Chapter one. There we see Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory. If God’s glory is bright, it is because of Jesus.

2

Then Jesus is described as the express image of God. Identically stamped out, the same as God. The writer maintains here that Jesus is God.

He continues then to show us that this Jesus upholds all things by the power of his word . We saw that means that all of the motion and movement of the universe is directed by Jesus.

But the culmination of all this in verse 3 is that He , by himself, purged our sins and sat down signifying that the job was done correctly and done forever. No more sacrifice is needed.

The first three verses of Hebrews alone blitzes our minds with facts about Jesus, and through the rest of the book we hone in on specific ways in which Jesus is superior to everyone and everything.

Starting in verse 4 we see his superiority over Angels. He is superior in Name, (he is Son they are servants), In Inheritance, and worship. Verse 8 speaks plainly “Thy throne oh God is forever and ever.”

Jesus is superior also in destiny. Angels are destined to serve and he is destined to be Lord and Master of all the universe.

Slipping along to chapters 2:1-3 we apply what we have heard in a warning to pay attention. If the old covenant, brought by angels received swift punishment for infractions, how much more must we be obedient to the word brought by the superior Son of God. He says these words were first spoken by Christ and confirmed to us by those who heard him. He speaks of the Apostles and New testament prophets and signs, special signs followed them.

 Special miracles followed them, their authentication was signs and wonders. They would say “This says the Lord” and the people would look questioning and God would authenticate their words by those signs.

If someone comes up today and says “thus says the Lord”, we go to his word, his completed revelation, the Bible to see if this guy is for real. They had no New Testament, no complete revelation so they needed special signs.

What he is saying is “you have had it doubly proven to you, so don’t just read, but heed.” (CF James 1:22 be doers)

God isn’t impressed with theological knowledge alone, but theological action. Recall what we call this book? Revealed Propositional Truth.

Moving down through the chapters we say Christ id greater than Moses because Moses was a servant in the house, Christ was the builder of the house and Son over his own house. And this exalted Son’s house is US.

So, because Jesus is greater than Moses do not harden your hearts but enter into God’s rest by faith in Christ, don’t delay.

Chapter 4 says that we enter in by faith, that is the key to the eternal door of Christ’s house.

In Chapter 5:1-10 a section begins in which we are now involved concerning the prediction and description of a new priesthood which would supercede the priesthood of the Law. This priesthood is set up so high that only one can be found worthy, Jesus Christ the Only Son of God.

He was appointed by God to be a high priest forever, but not according to the lineage of Aaron but after a higher order, that of Melchisedek.

Our high priest understands us having gone through all temptations like us but without falling, with no sin.

Even though he was God’s son he still walked the way of obedience and suffered in the doing of it.

IN this break he exhorts them to grow up. But some cannot grow, he says, because they have not been saved.

Then he puts the ones who are saved on the back and says “hey, we can tell you are saved because of your fruitful works.” That is a common theme of the New testament. ( Mat 7:20 , Rom 6:22 , Rom 7:4 ,2Co 5:17 , 2Ti 2:22 ,Jas 2:17 , 2Pe 1:4-9 , 1Jn 3:9 -11)

 There are many more but that should let us know fruitfulness will follow salvation. And he says “be followers of them who through faith and patience got the promises. He speaks of Old Testament saints. Abraham and others who we will pick up on in Chapter 11.

Then in Chapter 7 he gets back on track with Melchisedec again, describing him as superior to Abraham and therefore superior to Abraham’s offspring. He says therefore that Abraham’s priestly line through Levi and Aaron are inferior to this Melchisedec of whose priesthood comes Jesus Christ.

He described the perfection of this priesthood in that Christ is Unchangeable. Holy, Separate from sinners and most of all that his priesthood is superior because of the priest himself, Jesus Christ.

All the superlatives we have seen referred to Jesus Christ are in heaven in our behalf. He not only gave up all that in our behalf but he now holds it up in our behalf and uses it in our behalf.

What do you give someone who gives all he has for you? What CAN you give to someone who spent his life and spilled his blood for you? Only your best, and somehow even that falls so FAR short of the majesty of Jesus Christ doesn’t it?

Lets look at what he asks of us and we will close with this.

Mark 10.:15 you are to receive the Kingdom as a little child, simple faith.

Down to verse 35 ff

James and John asked something of Jesus. They wanted power and rule. We want to be in charge. Today many Christians want to be in charge, the ones calling the shots. (remember your high priest)

Jesus said: you boys sound like pagans, the gentile rulers lord it over their servants, but you? Whoever will be greatest among you let him be the servant. And in verse 44 we see the example of the true Lord as he stops to the menial task of washing their feet.

Jesus gave up power to pursue love for us. James and John had set aside love in search of power. The two cannot co-exist except in God himself.

What shall I give thee master?

Simply this: YOU! Make yourself vulnerable to the hurt, pain of others By consenting to let Jesus be your Lord and by surrendering first place.

What shall I give Thee, Master,
Thou Who didst die for me?
Shall I give less of what I possess
When Thou gavest all to me?

What shall I give Thee, Master? Thou hast given all for me!
Thou didst leave Thy Home Above To die on Calvary!

What shall I give Thee, Master? Thou hast given all for me!
Thou didst leave Thy Home Above To die on Calvary!

What shall I give Thee, Master? Thou hast redeemed my soul.
My gift is small but it is my all ,Surrendered to Thy control!

Jesus my Lord & Savior, Thou hadst given all for me!

Not just a part, or half of my heart, I will give all to Thee!

What can I give Thee, Master? Thou hast given all for me!
Not just a part, or half of my heart, I would give all to Thee!