Hebrews
Introduction
Hebrews is a fantastic book containing thirteen chapters that are rich and vast in their description and insight into the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is a gold mine of truth and revelation that establishes the continuities and links between the Old and New Testament. It also shows us how to interpret the Old Testament in light of its fulfilment in Christ and the new covenant. Hebrews reads both as an epistle to a church and a theological treatise; in this sense, it could be compared to the book of Romans. The message and continual thread of Hebrews points to the atoning and saving work of Christ, and his abiding and continuing work in the lives of believers.
The Big Picture
Hebrews is an orderly and systematic treatment of the person and work of Christ. There are many quotations and references to the Old Testament reminding us that the Bible is the best commentary on itself and that Jesus Christ is what the Bible is all about from Genesis to Revelation:
"Let us read the Bible as the Word of God and never apologise for finding Jesus Christ throughout its pages for Jesus Christ is what the Bible is all about" (A.W.Tozer)
Hebrews is the best commentary on all the Old Testament passages that refer to sacrificial offerings, atonement and worship, notably in Exodus and Leviticus. The book of Hebrews is also a pastoral encouragement, and a loving rebuke, to the Hebrew Christians to go further in their life of discipleship in Christ. In Hebrews 6:1, the writer exalts the readers of the letter to ‘go on to maturity’. This is the central message of Hebrews - the ongoing life of maturity lived out by active faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
The Glory of Christ
The first chapter of Hebrews introduces and describes the nature and status of Christ as the ‘exact representation’ of the Father’s glory and being. Jesus is God himself and the radiance of the community of Godhead in the earth. The importance of seeing Jesus Christ correctly in his deity and power is fundamental to the life of faith as a Christian. Hebrews exhorts us to ‘see Jesus…now crowned with glory and honour,’ (2:9) and to ‘fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith’ (12:2). It reminds us to keep looking in the right direction, towards Christ on his throne – his seat of government, peace and power.
The Sabbath Rest
In the fourth chapter of Hebrews, we see a recurring theme of the Old Testament finding its fulfilment in Christ. Our new covenant ‘Sabbath rest’ is not a particular day or the absence of work, but a continual position of peace, strength and rest that we find through faith in the person and power of Jesus. This isn’t saying that we don’t need physical rest at times but we can also live in the spiritual rest of faith that empowers, inspires and equips us everyday.
The New Covenant
Throughout Hebrews, the old covenant is contrasted with the ‘new and better covenant’ that we have access and entitlement to through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is described as the ‘High Priest’ of the new covenant. He is the deliverer, initiator and mediator of this covenant that continues to breathe new and fresh life into our lives everyday. In Hebrews 8, the key passage of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is quoted in full and reveals how Christ has fulfilled this Old Testament covenantal prophecy completely and that we can now walk in the fullness and power of this promise today.
Faith and Sacrifice
Faith and Sacrifice are two main themes of Hebrews. Faith and grace are the means by which we appropriate the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ into our lives. We are told that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God’ (11:6). Living faith in Christ is the cornerstone and foundation to our life. Hebrews seeks to drive this point home by giving a whole chapter to the subject of faith. The two preceding chapters cover the theme of sacrifice in presenting Christ as our ‘once and for all’ sacrifice in contrast to the annual day of atonement under the old covenant.
Loving Discipline
Hebrews combines deep truths with practical and pastoral encouragement. This is seen in the concluding chapters of the book where the issues of loving discipline, marriage, hospitality, attitude to leadership and our love for one another in the church are dealt with. Christ is the constant focus and guiding revelation throughout all these areas of life.
Conclusion
The Book of Hebrews points to the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in all his risen glory and power. It describes and details our salvation and ongoing life as disciples that is founded upon the life of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The message of Hebrews is an eternal one that points to a ‘Kingdom that cannot be shaken’ (12:28) – it points to a people of faith and power who live in the present realities of the new covenant that is founded and established on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This background was written by Gavin White who is an elder at King’s Church, Manchester
You can visit his blog at www.gavinwhite.org.uk