It was clear that the old covenant was weak and useless because it was not based on the love of Christ. As this became obvious, Jesus talked about a new covenant. He was the true high priest and with the change of him taking on his role as high priest, rules needed to be changed. The Lord was not of the tribe of Levi but of another tribe, the tribe of Judah. This had not been done before. This alone would have precluded Jesus from being a high priest. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would now be all that was necessary. What we needed was Grace, not rules and laws. Under the new covenant this is exactly what we would be blessed with. Jesus promised to put his laws into our minds and on our hearts. Then he will be our God and we will be his people. I have hope today because of this new covenant. I will always and forever need grace. He was thinking of me long before I came into existence. Oh what a good God we serve.
Hebrews Chapter 7
Over the last couple of years, I’ve spent more time in the Old Testament than the New. This has given me an appreciation for the Law, and the amazing detailed system God established to help all of us see our need for Jesus. I often think of the Law as a measuring stick to show how we as flawed people can never measure up. Hebrews 7:23-28, is a beautiful contrast of the old priest’s sacrificial system and Jesus’ one sacrifice for all. This section highlighted the limitations of human weakness.
I never lived under the Law as the Israelites did, but I had, in my younger days, association with cults. In my late teens and twenties when I felt the tug of God in my heart. In response, I connected with a couple of groups who taught, that believing in their prophets, and performing various deeds you can become righteous. Trying to achieve a right relationship with God this way is a heavy burden, and it is ineffective.
I love the reminder in verses 24-25, Jesus is our high priest his sacrifice is enough to save us.
24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Hebrews Chapter 6
In Hebrews 6, we as Christians, along with readers of the first century AD are urged to move beyond basic teachings about Christ and grow our faith as a plant would put down deep roots. As explained here in Hebrews 6, growth requires trust in God’s promise and oath fulfilled through Jesus and requires endurance to the end of our lives. At that point, we have the hope that Jesus, our Savior, has gone before us into heaven where he waits for us at the end and opens the curtain of heaven for us.
How can we exercise our faith and strengthen our endurance according to this chapter? According to verse 3, we must move forward to further understandings. This can occur by the study of God’s Word and by deepening our relationship with God through prayer. For me, being involved as an adult in a Bible study was life-transforming and increased my faith. Before I began a series of Bible studies, my understanding of faith and a relationship with God was basic but had not progressed from when I was a child. Studying God’s Word gave me a knowledge and confidence in God so that I could pray and feel a closer relationship to God. It all started with Bible study as an adult.
In verse 10, we also deepen our faith and love for God by caring for others as long as our life lasts. For me, caring for my immediate biological family was just part of my DNA growing up and therefore at a fundamental level of faith and care. But God also challenges us to move to a further understanding in our ability to care beyond the basics of our family. For me this year, the challenge has prompted me to serve in our church’s homeless ministry which I had never considered in the past. Sometimes, God stretches us in unexpected ways that don’t seem comfortable at first, like the homeless ministry was for me. But with faith, God gives us love and endurance in each season of serving. He makes us grow past the faith fundamentals to a new level.
Hebrews Chapter 5
Roger and I have 2 daughters and when they were growing up we had a wall chart where they would mark the date and their height. We would do this about every six months and it was always exciting to see how much they had grown.
Imagine what a shock it would have been had they grown down and not up!! We would have immediately scheduled an appointment with their pediatrician to find out what was wrong.
Many of the Hebrew Christians to whom this letter was written had grown down in their Christian walk and not up. The author says that they had come to need milk again, not solid food. Imagine a grown child who quit eating regular food and went back to formula and pureed peas! Instead of being able to teach others, they now need someone to teach them the ABC’s of the Christian life all over again. Paul is saying to them “Grow up”!
It says in Chapter 5:13-14, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil”.
Right and wrong behavior needs to be discerned according to God’s word. Our culture bombards us with immoral behavior as if it were “OK” or even desirable. If we are watching TV more than reading our Bibles is it any wonder that Christians struggle with discernment of good and evil?
There is another lesson for us in Chapter 5:11
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.” The Hebrews had “dulled” their hearing. It appears that they no longer even cared to understand.
What I take from this chapter is that while there are different rates of spiritual growth-----if we are not growing then we are shrinking. The question for all of us is which are we right now? We can’t be content to just tread water because the current of the world, the flesh and the devil will carry us backwards if we do not strive to move ahead. To be very direct, if we are not making time daily to spend in God’s word and in prayer, then we are not growing, we are shrinking! We are going from eating meat back to the formula and pureed peas. That stuff is great for babies but not for adults.
The overriding lesson in Chapter 5 of Hebrews is quite simple. Grow up!
Hebrews Chapter 4
Just what the doctor ordered.
My oldest brother is a famously fabulous doctor…and an infamously insensitive shot-giver. Emblazoned on my childhood memory is an occasion of much-needed medical attention, to be administered via a penicillin jab in my bare back-side. With dread – and much embarrassment over the full moon exposure – I braced for impact. Although my doctor-brother’s procedure felt more like a stab than a jab, the cure was efficiently and effectively delivered and I was back to my normal self soon thereafter.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
When I first read verse 13, I have to admit the dominant feelings were of embarrassment and conviction. Does it really mean “nothing” is hidden and “everything” is exposed? With a fearful, cringed posture, I researched other translations, hoping to find less-strict or perhaps more accommodating interpretations. As it turns out, there is no escape from this nothing–everything calculated symmetry.
So, what shall I do with this? It’s hard to say “I have nothing to hide” but the truth is that with God, there is nothing I can hide.
After much introspection (including additional futile attempts to avoid personal application of this verse), I came to an important realization: although this passage certainly does address my accountability to God in thought, word and deed, I also find supreme comfort and confidence in this passage.
Although the concept of being fully known is initially uncomfortable, it is actually a tremendous blessing. God already knows all my fears, failures and weaknesses – the ones I’ve had, currently have, and will have – and He loves me anyway! The feelings of embarrassment and conviction are fine (probably even healthy); however, I am to embrace the laid-bare exposure and welcome God, The Great Physician, to continue the work of the Holy Spirit in me.
Today, reflect on your “nothing” and “everything” in verse 13 – what does this mean for you? Before you conclude, I encourage you to carefully contemplate Hebrews 4:16.
Be bold and find grace, my friends!
Hebrews Chapter 3
One of the take aways from this chapter is the writer’s encouragement for his readers’ steadfastness in faith, or our willingness to remain faithful, not to waiver, or be led astray by false or half-truths. Today’s world is more divided than I have seen in my lifetime. The lack of tolerance, the blatant disregard for truth, the acceptance and tolerance for sinful behavior and speech, and hatred for one another. Even Christians are divided theologically, politically, and respect for those who disagree with one’s belief. The Hebrews writer says, “…instead encourage one another daily…so that none of you may be hardened by sins deceitfulness…” (v. 13). There is a lack of love which Jesus lived and died for. Satan is attacking us on many fronts and since he is the father of lies (John 8:44), he is determined to undermine the truth of Christ. Christ is the truth (John 14:6) and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). So as Christians we must be committed to the WHOLE TRUTH, not just the partial truth to fit our own agendas. We can’t just select which passage of Scripture which we like to justify our position and ignore the whole of Scripture and what it teaches. Trust the Holy Spirit to teach us ALL things and not just listen to some people’s view of the issues.
Hebrews Chapter 2
The divine order of things. Jesus did not die to save the angels from their sins. Jesus died to save humans – all of us – from our sinful nature. By paying the price of our redemption, we are restored into fellowship and favor with God.
“Why is man important to you? Why do you take care of the son of man?” (Heb. 2:6 ICB) What we know for sure is that people are very important indeed to Jesus. So much so that he left heaven, was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered an excruciating death, was buried and resurrected. All of this for us. When I think about how much Jesus cares for us, I wonder if we treat each other with the same kind of reverence. Believers or unbelievers, we are only crowned with glory and honor because of the undeserved kindness of Jesus. Therefore, we have no room to lord it over anyone. Which brings me back to the same question…do we treat each other with the same kind of reverence that Jesus treats us?
Our home, Silicon Valley, is home to nearly 4 million people. A veritable sea of us, everywhere you look. Many of us spend our days inside that sea of people, in traffic, waiting in lines, riding VTA and working in large high-tech firms. Do we just see a “sea” of people, or do we seek to view others through the lens of Christ?
As an example, the infamous experience of being cut off in traffic. Notwithstanding that it can be scary to have a near-accident, can we consider that the person cutting us off is one of the people that Jesus died for, one of the people whom Jesus suffered for? While we cannot know what is on that driver’s mind, we can dial back our own reaction enough to grant them grace in the moment. Jesus grants us grace every day. Can we not do the same for others that we encounter?
What I find is that a stretched-thin version of myself is not equipped to do much granting of grace to anyone. As a result, it’s vitally important that I first learn to walk lightly with the Lord, to lean on Him, seek His peace and rest in His love and in His finished work. Only then can I climb into the heavens and see people as He sees them – beloved, crowned with glory and honor, unique and holy – because Jesus made us so.
Hebrews Chapter 1
As a Christian I am always wrestling to comprehend the trinity… “God in three persons blessed trinity” as the famous hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” proclaims.
Here in Hebrews chapter 1 of the new testament the author gives us some insight into the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. He actually recites verses from the old testament and from the new testament where God the Father speaks of his Son. Verses 8 and 9 particularly caught my attention where I believe God the Father refers to Jesus as God, “therefore O’ God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else”. Over the years I have grown to appreciate that without God in three persons I likely would not know God at all. That it takes all three to reach me. I love the emphasis that Catholic Christians put on the trinity, crossing themselves in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
But as with the new testament in its’ entirety and possibly the bible in its’ entirety, I see this chapter as God the Father glorifying Jesus, God the Son.
Philemon
Philemon is one of the shortest books in the Bible, and often overlooked (at least by me). It is easy to miss the significance of this letter, but there is a lot going on in these 25 verses! One commentary I read suggested that this little letter is a “brilliant affirmation of Christian ethics” and “altered humanity’s attitude toward the institution of slavery” more than any other document. Wow, and all that in 25 verses!
The context of this letter is Paul writing to a beloved co-worker Philemon on behalf of a runaway slave Onesimus. Philemon was an early convert of Paul and likely a man of means as a church in Colossae met in his home and he owned slaves. Onesimus was his slave who ran away and perhaps even stole money from Philemon. Through God’s providence, Onesimus meets Paul in Rome and becomes a Christian. Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon to set things right, and makes a bold request for his freedom.
A couple takeaways from this letter for me:
1. Paul models leadership rooted in love and friendship instead of power and authority. Although he could have demanded Philemon do the right thing, he preferred to simply ask because of their love. In pursuing the right thing, Paul makes sure he doesn’t hurt Philemon in the process. He is bold in his request for sure, but Paul demonstrates that how we do things as Christians is very important.
2. Onesimus models courage and obedience. Perhaps through Paul’s guidance, he knew he had to set things right with Philemon. However, as a slave, he could have been treated very harshly upon his return. Despite the unknown consequences in front of him, Onesimus sets out to return to Philemon to make things right. That is what Christians do.
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ, given a wonderful ministry of reconciliation. I feel like Philemon is a window into what this ministry of reconciliation looks like in real life. In this letter, Paul is faithfully practicing what he preaches. Onesimus has been reconciled to God through Christ, and now he is being reconciled with his former owner Philemon. And all of this is being done in and through love.
Although we don’t know how Philemon responded, I feel confident that he responded by doing the right thing. The name Philemon means “affectionate” or “kiss” in Greek. He loved the people of God and was likely a generous man. Someday we will find out how he actually responded, and I look forward with anticipation to hearing how Philemon completed the ministry of reconciliation by forgiving Onesimus and welcoming him back as a brother in Christ.
Titus Chapter 3
Have you ever said or done something only to regret it later? I remember when I was 11 or 12, riding the bus to the mall. Excited to meet my friend so we can shop for new clothes and grab a bite to eat. As I was sitting on the bus, minding my own business, I noticed an elderly lady staring at me. When our eyes met, she asked me, “hablas espanol” (do you speak Spanish)? I was stunned that she was even talking to me. That I answered her quickly, with a flat out “NO”. To this day I have no idea why I said no. I knew in my heart that I should have said yes, or just spoke to her in Spanish. I remember thinking to myself, just say something. Instead I just sat there, in silence, looking out the window. I must admit I regretted my actions because I knew in my heart I should have said yes. Who knows maybe she needed help or just wanted someone to talk with. Instead I didn’t want to be bothered. I was thinking about me. I knew better and I should have done the right thing. To this day, if I sense someone speaks Spanish, I will automatically speak Spanish and am willing to help.
This chapter was a hard one for me, perhaps because it seems so simple. Paul’s message to us as followers of Christ is clear, we are to help guide and remind other believers of what is right and how we should act in the world. I believe Paul is asking us to be like Jesus in the world, to allow Christ who lives in our hearts to shine through us. We are not of the this world, rather we live in the world to be an example to the non believer. The bible tells us we are to shed our old ways and through His sovereign grace we put on a new heart, have new truth, making us a different person. Paul is intentional and direct in what we are to do. We are to be humble and kind. Verses 3, 4 & 5 speak volumes to me, “3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit”
The world tells us that its all about me. That I should feel good, I’m number one. The fast track is the way to go. A bigger, house, a better job and more money are the status we need and want. What is on the outside is what matters, but is it? In other words, we are constantly being bombarded with false messages that promise satisfaction with pleasures far from God. Satan is crafty that way. When in truth it’s our humility, gentleness that matter. It’s remembering that I am far from perfect and that I am a sinner who by God’s grace that I have been saved through Jesus. This chapter is our reminder that we who are followers of Christ, have rules to follow, its not what we do that is right, rather its like verse 7 says, “Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.