Hebrews 13:7-10
The key words and ideas are: leaders, imitate, same, teachings, ceremonies. The author is now speaking of different teachings. The audience is reminded of their spiritual leaders and their teachings. This is contrasted with the strange teachings about ceremonies and rituals. The author reminds the audience that the heavenly altar is superior to the earthly one.
It is interesting that the author tells the audience to consider the outcome of the faith of the leaders since most of the leaders, which I'm taking to mean disciples/apostles, were martyred. However, in the context of Hebrews 11, their deaths were glorious because they were looking forward to the fulfillment of their faith. Therefore, it is no problem for the author to exhort the audience to imitate their faith. The hope of their faith is that they were received into heaven. Since Jesus is the same today as he always was and will be, the audience can be assured of the same reward if they remain faithful.
The author contrasts grace and the eating of ceremonial foods. Eating ceremonial foods would be part of the law. So the contrast is between grace and the law. The author's point is that grace strengthens our hearts, not the law.
This morning I am enjoying the reminder of Christ's constancy. He never changes. I can trust him to treat me with the same grace, fairness and compassion that he treated his disciples with. I can trust him to give me the same reward for faithfulness that he gave to the martyrs. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Showing posts with label Christ's superiority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ's superiority. Show all posts
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Mtn vs Mtn
Hebrews 12:18-27
Here the author compares two mountains. The first, without being names, is obviously Mt. Sinai, where the law was given to Moses. The second is Mt. Zion where the city of Jerusalem rests. The author seems to be revisiting the theme of the supremacy of Christ: Christ is superior because the mountain of the new covenant (Zion) is superior to the mountain of the old covenant (Sinai). The differences are that Mt Sinai is a physical mountain while Mt Zion is spiritual, Mt Sinai is filled with darkness, mystery and death while Mt. Zion is filled with light, joy and life.
The author makes a list of things we have come to: Mount Zion, thousands upon thousands of angels, the church of the firstborn, to God, to the spirits of the righteous (a reference to the great cloud of witnesses?), to Jesus and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. This is an interesting phrase. Abel's blood cried out from the ground to the ear of God and the implied cry was a cry for justice. Justice demanded that someone pay for his murder. Jesus' blood cries out that justice has already been satisfied. When I sin and then truly repent, Jesus' blood cries out on my behalf. The word is the same (justice!) but the implications are very different.
Through the blood of Jesus the curse has been removed. I now approach God with full confidence by the blood of Jesus. My relationship to God is no longer based on law and death but on grace and life. I can join the thousands upon thousands of angels in their joyful assembly and the church of the firstborn because I am being made perfect by of the sacrifice of Christ. I claim the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word...
Here the author compares two mountains. The first, without being names, is obviously Mt. Sinai, where the law was given to Moses. The second is Mt. Zion where the city of Jerusalem rests. The author seems to be revisiting the theme of the supremacy of Christ: Christ is superior because the mountain of the new covenant (Zion) is superior to the mountain of the old covenant (Sinai). The differences are that Mt Sinai is a physical mountain while Mt Zion is spiritual, Mt Sinai is filled with darkness, mystery and death while Mt. Zion is filled with light, joy and life.
The author makes a list of things we have come to: Mount Zion, thousands upon thousands of angels, the church of the firstborn, to God, to the spirits of the righteous (a reference to the great cloud of witnesses?), to Jesus and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. This is an interesting phrase. Abel's blood cried out from the ground to the ear of God and the implied cry was a cry for justice. Justice demanded that someone pay for his murder. Jesus' blood cries out that justice has already been satisfied. When I sin and then truly repent, Jesus' blood cries out on my behalf. The word is the same (justice!) but the implications are very different.
Through the blood of Jesus the curse has been removed. I now approach God with full confidence by the blood of Jesus. My relationship to God is no longer based on law and death but on grace and life. I can join the thousands upon thousands of angels in their joyful assembly and the church of the firstborn because I am being made perfect by of the sacrifice of Christ. I claim the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word...
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Supremacy of the Son
Hebrews 1:5-14
This section contains quotes from the OT that the authour uses to indicate that the Son is greater than the angels. These quotes support the authour's thesis in verses 1-4 and indicate that there was an unhealthy fascination with, perhaps even worship of, angels. The authour's goal is to remind his readers of the supremacy of Christ.
The authour uses quotes mostly from the Book of Psalms but includes some from the historical records of the kings of Israel and Judah and the book of Deuteronomy. The main theme of the quotes is that angels are servants and the Son is the King who is given all authourity. Some of the quotes about the Son echo the authour's assertion that Christ is seated in the place of authourity at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (v. 3, 8, 13).
The authour continues his thought about the supremacy of the name of Christ as compared to the name given the angels. The name given to Christ is found in verse 5: "Son". This is compared to the name given the angels in verse 7: "servant". The authour is showing that Christ has a special relationship to the Father and, therefore, is superior to the angels.
My question is about the use of the quotes. Historically, I am not sure that the passages quoted would have been attributed to the coming Messiah. They were mostly spoken of the present king or of God's sovreignty. I know that the authour was inspired by the Holy Spirit so that means that these verses are speaking of the Christ but it really does open up the book to reading back into the OT something that was never intended by the original human authours.
The point is that Christ is superior. I don't hear too much angel fascination or angel worship today, although it is still present in small pockets. I do wonder though if there is a growing fascination with demons. I think it is good to be aware of the spiritual forces of good and of evil in the world, but we, and be "we" I mean "I", must never lose sight of the supremacy of the Son: he is the King, he is far above the angels - whether fallen or not - in position and in power.
This section contains quotes from the OT that the authour uses to indicate that the Son is greater than the angels. These quotes support the authour's thesis in verses 1-4 and indicate that there was an unhealthy fascination with, perhaps even worship of, angels. The authour's goal is to remind his readers of the supremacy of Christ.
The authour uses quotes mostly from the Book of Psalms but includes some from the historical records of the kings of Israel and Judah and the book of Deuteronomy. The main theme of the quotes is that angels are servants and the Son is the King who is given all authourity. Some of the quotes about the Son echo the authour's assertion that Christ is seated in the place of authourity at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (v. 3, 8, 13).
The authour continues his thought about the supremacy of the name of Christ as compared to the name given the angels. The name given to Christ is found in verse 5: "Son". This is compared to the name given the angels in verse 7: "servant". The authour is showing that Christ has a special relationship to the Father and, therefore, is superior to the angels.
My question is about the use of the quotes. Historically, I am not sure that the passages quoted would have been attributed to the coming Messiah. They were mostly spoken of the present king or of God's sovreignty. I know that the authour was inspired by the Holy Spirit so that means that these verses are speaking of the Christ but it really does open up the book to reading back into the OT something that was never intended by the original human authours.
The point is that Christ is superior. I don't hear too much angel fascination or angel worship today, although it is still present in small pockets. I do wonder though if there is a growing fascination with demons. I think it is good to be aware of the spiritual forces of good and of evil in the world, but we, and be "we" I mean "I", must never lose sight of the supremacy of the Son: he is the King, he is far above the angels - whether fallen or not - in position and in power.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Radiance of God's Glory
Hebrews 1:1-4
I already focused on the first couple of verses but the authour continues his thought in these next verses. The theme starts in verse 2 where the authour claims that the universe was created through Christ and then goes on into verse 3 where he develops his claim that Jesus is inseparable from God: he is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God's being.
The authour clearly sees Christ as sitting on the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus at his trial before the high priest and a parallel vision to that of Stephen in Acts 7, just before his death. It refers to the authourity that Jesus has - equal to God's authourity.
The authour makes a comparison in verse 4 that I don't completely understand. Jesus is as superior to the angels as his name is superior to their name. The name that the authour is referring to is found in verse 5: Son. It points to a more intimate relationship than the angels have with the Father. It also indicates a greater inheritance than the angels have. The point is that Jesus is superior to the angels.
For me the reminder is that it is all about Jesus. He is superior. I lack the language to describe the emotional response that I have to this. I think part of it is fear that I have allowed other things to become superior to Christ in my life. I think part of it is awe at the majesty and authourity of Christ. I think part of it is humility at the work that he accomplished in my life and in the world - the purification of sins. As an aside, talk about an understated way to describe the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ: "after he had provided purification for sins..." It reminds me that if Christ is the radiance of God's glory then the way for me to bring glory to God is to keep Christ central and superior. It brings me to the place of worship. Which is exactly where I need to be.
I already focused on the first couple of verses but the authour continues his thought in these next verses. The theme starts in verse 2 where the authour claims that the universe was created through Christ and then goes on into verse 3 where he develops his claim that Jesus is inseparable from God: he is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God's being.
The authour clearly sees Christ as sitting on the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus at his trial before the high priest and a parallel vision to that of Stephen in Acts 7, just before his death. It refers to the authourity that Jesus has - equal to God's authourity.
The authour makes a comparison in verse 4 that I don't completely understand. Jesus is as superior to the angels as his name is superior to their name. The name that the authour is referring to is found in verse 5: Son. It points to a more intimate relationship than the angels have with the Father. It also indicates a greater inheritance than the angels have. The point is that Jesus is superior to the angels.
For me the reminder is that it is all about Jesus. He is superior. I lack the language to describe the emotional response that I have to this. I think part of it is fear that I have allowed other things to become superior to Christ in my life. I think part of it is awe at the majesty and authourity of Christ. I think part of it is humility at the work that he accomplished in my life and in the world - the purification of sins. As an aside, talk about an understated way to describe the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ: "after he had provided purification for sins..." It reminds me that if Christ is the radiance of God's glory then the way for me to bring glory to God is to keep Christ central and superior. It brings me to the place of worship. Which is exactly where I need to be.
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