Hebrews 5

Grace and peace in the Lord!

This week we continue with the Chapter Memory Study through Hebrews with chapter 5.  This chapter is an interesting transition between chapter 4 and chapter 6.  The first part of Hebrews 5 picks up where ch4 leaves off.  Then the second theme of ch5 continues into ch6.  But for the purposes of this study (the Chapter Memory Study) I will stay with the established chapter demarcations. 

So, the thematic section of Hebrews 5 (built on the 'S' of Son i(S) Superior) are:

• Source of eternal salvation (1-10)
• Solid Food (11-14)
  

The memory passaged from each section are;

• Source of eternal salvation
  Hebrews 5:8-10
  
  ⁸Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
   
• Solid Food
  Hebrews 5:14
  
  ¹⁴But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
  
  

Within the first thematic passage of this chapter (vv1-10), the writer continues the ongoing description of Jesus as High Priest.  But now, the discussion centers around Jesus being the One and Only Source of eternal salvation. His Priesthood was not appointed by men (5) nor descended from men (implied in vv 6,10) but was appointed by God as a special Son-King-Priest.  Only Christ is qualified to hold such a position.  The writer goes out of his way again to say that Jesus, while He was in the flesh, became our perfect High Priest through obedience, suffering, submission to the Father's will, and reverence.  He is the Son of God by nature (1:3), the King of all by position (1:3), and Priest of God for all men by His complete identification with men (4:15). 

The 'perfection' talked about here and elsewhere concerning Christ is more about the completion or fulfillment of His mission than a perfecting of His person (He was and always has been holy). 

To say that Jesus was perfect does not suggest that he was imperfect before he suffered. During his human life Jesus’ perfection endured severe testing. None of this testing blackened a single feature of his perfection. Jesus’ perfection was the completion of someone who had faced trials, endured them, and learned to trust God through them. Jesus’ perfection developed in an atmosphere in which he had his obedience tested and strengthened by the trials he faced.

Lea, T. D. (1999). Vol. 10: Hebrews, James. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (94). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The writer will continue to expound on the issue of 'the order of Melchizedek' in contrast to the order of Aaron later in the book, but since he mentions it here, I will include a brief introduction.

Several features of this order differed from the order of Aaron. First, the order of Melchizedek had no hereditary succession. This feature stood in contrast to the Aaronic order, which saw wave after wave of priests succeeding one another.

Second, it was a unique order because only Christ belonged to it. It was an order which was fit for Christ because it placed him in an entirely different order from that of Aaron.

Lea, T. D. (1999). Vol. 10: Hebrews, James. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (94). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The second main theme of Hebrews 5 addresses the issue of maturity among the readers.  The writer chastises and then exhorts the readers using the metaphor of food.  So we call this section Solid food (remember, the thematic titles do two things; 1) starts with the corresponding letter from the chapter outline, and 2) serves to remind us of what the thematic content is in the section). 

The writer wishes to say more on this issue, but criticizes the readers for being 'dull of hearing' and in need of remedial training.  By this time, these believers should have been teaching these principles, but for some reason they still needed the 'milk' of basic training instead of the 'solid food' of mature teaching.  He actually calls them unskilled and children.  Their goal should be to mature in Christ so that they can process the 'solid food' of His truth.  A sign of this growth is the maturing of their powers of discernment; distinguishing between good and evil.  There will be more on this issue as the writer continues in Chapter 6. 


How does this affect my worship?
Verse 7 is difficult for me.  Jesus offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to God, and He was heard 'because of His reverence'.  He fully submitted Himself to God in His prayer.  He approached His Father with reverence.  In my casual, conversational relationship with God (which I think He encourages), I sometimes find myself stepping out of reverence.  We can confidently draw near to the throne of God because of the work of Christ, but He's still God and I'm still not.  You can swing too far either direction.  Christ's example here reminds me to approach God, while confident, in humility. 

How does this affect my discipleship?
The whole milk vs solid food thing speaks to me about my own disciple-becoming and my disciple-making.  While I think grace and patience are absolutely critical in the discipleship process, there does seem to come a time for some exhortation toward maturity.  I don't know how I could know this unless I actually have a relationship with the person I'm discipling.  If they are being diligent in their study and I see the transformation in their walk with God I have a pretty good idea that they are on the right track.  But when you see them 'stuck' in certain elementary patterns or thoughts for a long time without a real zeal for growth, I could feel the need to 'nudge' them a bit.  I want them to grow.  Just like I want my kids to grow.  I don't want those who walk with me in discipleship to continue to need (or desire) the 'milk'.  Although, as a caveat, there has been tremendous value and growth in my life during times when I 'review' a basic truth that the Lord reminds me of.  I guess, nothing goes better with steak than a big glass of milk. 

Thank You, gracious Heavenly Father, for being my Bread of Life.  Thank You for growing me up on milk, and letting me begin to chew on steak.  Grow me and train me in discernment so that I can feast on Your solid food; for Your glory and for Your kingdom.  

Ethan

Hebrews 4

Greetings in Christ!

We continue our Chapter Memory Study today in Hebrews 4. In many ways this chapter is a continuation of the thought pattern of chapter 3 (as we will see in the discussion of 'rest'). The outline is based on the 'I' of 'Son is Mediator'.

• Into His rest (1-13)
• Into His throne-room (14-16)

The memory passage is:

• Into His rest
  
  
  • Hebrews 4:11-12
  • ¹¹Let us therefore strive [be diligent] to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. ¹²For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• Into His throne-room
  
  
  • Hebrews 4:15-16
  • ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.¹⁶Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need

While this first section has been titled 'Into His Rest', this issue of God's rest first appears back in 3:11,18 amidst the discussion of the punishment of unbelief and rebellion. The people of Israel were prevented from entering 'rest' (the promised land) because of their rebellion against God in the desert following the exodus. While 3:12 planted the idea in our minds that this idea of rest has not been put to rest (so to speak), the first verse of chapter 4 lays it out lucidly; the promise of rest still stands. You can still receive it, and you can still miss it. For the good news (not necessarily only the Gospel, but including the general good news of from God in the OT) came to them as it comes to us. The key to gaining the benefit of the good news depends upon whether or not we believe ('united by faith' 4:2).

The word 'rest' appears 8 different times in this first section (vv1-13). So, what is meant by 'rest'? In the context of the historical reference to Israel, 'rest' seems to mean the fulfillment of God's promise. They still had to fight for the land and work the land, so 'rest' does not mean vacation or retirement. Verses 4-10 bring in two different approaches to 'rest'.

1. God's 'rest' on the 7th day of creation is meant as a model for us to follow. But in the same way that God did not cease to do any work from then on, we are not to merely fall idle and lazy. God's rest signifies completion, not exhaustion.
2. If this promised 'rest' was ONLY the promised land, then Joshua would have delivered that to the people after the conquering of the promised land. But David, many years later, warns us not to harden our hearts lest we are not allowed into His rest. So there must remain a Sabbath rest for God's people (9).
   

In addition to these, verse 11 says we are to strive (I prefer 'be diligent') to enter that rest. The ideas of working hard and resting would appear to be contradictory. But our diligence in seeking the completion and fulfillment of God's promise to us keeps us from falling 'by the same sort of disobedience' as Israel did.

So what is our Guide in this striving? God's Word. It is living, active, discerning, and illuminating. He only can divide to the deepest parts of our being. He only can know our hearts and motives. Nothing is hidden from Him, and all will be judged by Him. He is our Guide. He can lead us, by His Word, into His rest.

To conclude, there seems to be 4 different 'rests' discussed in 3:11-4:13:

1. Canaan rest; the rest Israel was promised but forsook by the sin of disbelief.
2. Sabbath rest; the rest God exemplified on day 7 of creation and directs us to observe
3. Present rest; in Christ's strength we can have a rest from weariness and heavy yokes (Matt 11:28-30)
4. Eternal rest; the rest believers taste now, but will fully experience in the presence of Christ for eternity.
   

The second section of this chapter, 'Into His Throne-room', is short but potent. The writer brings back the description of Christ as our High Priest. Having proven His worthiness as our High Priest (3:17), the writer now reminds us that Christ is the only one who is able to give us access to the rest of God. Our great High Priest passed through the heavens (after dying and resurrecting) after a life on earth that consisted of every temptation and trial that we have or ever will experience; yet He did not once give in or sin. He alone can advocate for us because He lived the full human life and beat it. For this reason only can we draw near to the throne of God, with confidence in Christ alone, to find the mercy and grace we need to follow Him faithfully to the end. This boldness and confidence is not, cannot, be prideful or flippant. It is not any of our own doing, but that of Christ.

How does this affect my worship?

How often do we sing 'draw near to God' or 'God, please draw near to me'? How can that even happen? It goes back again to what I am finding is a critical verse about worship; Romans 11:36. "For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things". True worship of God is only possible by His work through us. We are saved by the free gift of grace that we cannot earn. Only then can we offer our lives as a living sacrifice. But we only have access to God (His throne of grace) because Jesus has made the way. So our worship is from Him (because of His work) and through Him (sustained by His work) and to Him (in honor of His work). There are many ways to express ourselves to God; praise, adoration, submission, exaltation, thanksgiving..... But let us never forget to draw near, with confidence yet utter humility, to the throne of God for not just what we get, but Who we meet.

How does this affect my discipleship?

My 5 main foundations of discipleship are that it is:

1. Biblical
2. Relational
3. Intentional
4. Sustainable
5. Reproducible
   

(some day, I'll get the rights words together so that it spells something, or so they all start with the same letter :)
There's a reason Biblical is first. The Word of God is the key to our growth. We must let it 'dwell in us richly' (Col 3:16). We must hear it (Rom 10:17), hide it (Ps 119:11), and heed it (Jam 1:22). I must be the foundation upon which followers of Christ follow Christ. It is living and active; alive and well.

May you draw near to Him, and He to you,

Ethan

Hebrews 3

Grace and Greetings,

What a gift! I am continually amazed at God's Word. Today, I am thankful for Hebrews 3. What a gift. The Chapter outline begins with the 'N' of SoN is Mediator:

• Not Moses but Jesus (1-6)
• Not hardened but hear Him (7-19)

The memory passage taken from these main sections are:

• Not Moses but Jesus
  Hebrews 3:3
  
  ³For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
• Not hardened but hear Him
  Hebrews 3:13-15
  
  
  ¹³But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. ¹⁵As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

The first section, 'Not Moses but Jesus', focuses on the priority of Jesus over Moses. Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest; The Father's Apostle to us and our High Priest to the Father. The writer certainly does not disrespect Moses (which might raise undo angst from his target audience) and gives him the honor he is due in light of his service to the Lord. But it must be made clear that while Moses was faithful as a servant, Christ is faithful as a Son. Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of the house has more glory than the house itself (3). This house is further defined as us, the church; those who 'hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope' (6). The only confidence we have is Christ, and our only hope is found in the Gospel He proclaimed and embodied.

The second section, 'Not hardened, but hear Him', draws its title and theme from a quote from Psalm 95. The phrase 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion' is written twice in this section (7,15). The writer skillfully draws on the history and commensurate warning to the nation of Israel (Ex 17:1-7, Num 14:20-38, Ps 95:7-11) and transposes the lesson to the body of Christ. "Remember how your fathers put God to the test and provoked His wrath! They were not allowed to enter His rest. So you, guard your heart that it not become evil and unbelieving. Exhort each other so that you do not grow hard with sin and fall away from God. I repeat, if you hear God, don't harden your heart!'

Then, so as to make sure there was no misunderstanding, the writer reviews the facts.

1. Who rebelled? Israel rebelled after God rescued them from Egypt.
2. Whom did God punish for 40 years? Those who rebelled.
3. Who did not enter His rest? Those who disobeyed.
   

Verse 19 lucidly concludes the thought: '...they were unable to enter because of unbelief'.

How does this affect my worship?

How quickly I forget God's faithfulness. Days, if not moments, after He comes through for me or my family in a miraculous way I find myself groping the air for some sign of His love. He doesn't need to remind me of His faithfulness, I must remember. We laugh at Israel; 'how could they doubt God!? He just unleashed an unprecedented display of heavenly warfare on Egypt (see the plagues), guided them through the desert with a cloud by day and fire by night, split the stinkin' Red Sea in half so they could walk on through (and holding it just long enough to finish off the Egyptian army), and now they're whining about food and water! Don't they remember what just happened?!?!' And yet I do the same thing. Not only that, I get envious when I see Him bless others the way I want to be blessed. That's no way to worship Him. Even in praise, I must come humbly to His throne in awe and wonder of His faithfulness.

How does this affect my discipleship?
This building metaphor pops up all over the Bible. There are different applications, and we must beware of mixing them too much. Here, 'the house', seems to take on two different meanings. For Moses, the house was God's people; Israel. He was faithful as a servant with the tasks He was given. For Jesus, the house is us; His Body. And our belonging in His house has to do with our trust in Him and our hope in His Word. This serves as one of the many goals of disciple-making; grow in our own confidence in Christ as we lead others to grow with us. Have hope and give hope. Obedience without hope does not seem to be the full life Jesus offers.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me,

Hebrews 2

Greetings,

While at first I wasn't sure about tackling Hebrews, I have found it to be a tremendous blessing. After only 2 chapters, the richness of this letter is plainly evident. Hebrews 2 has two main sections which are outlined with the 'O' of Son is Mediator (the first O, obviously).

• Observe Salvation (1-4)
• Originator of Salvation (5-18)

The memory passages from each section are:

• Observe Salvation
  Hebrews 2:1
  ¹Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

• Originator of Salvation
  Hebrews 2:10,17-18
  ¹⁰For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
  ¹⁷Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

The first section, while short, packs a heavy warning punch for us to Observe Salvation: we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it (1). The Old Testament message was affective in its designed purpose. The warning for us now is to not neglect the great salvation which was declared by Christ, attested to by the apostles, and born witness to by signs, wonders and gifts of Holy Spirit. To me, the phrase 'we must pay closer attention to it' doesn't necessarily refer to a one-time adjustment. I read this to mean that I must pay closer, and closer, and closer attention to it as I continue to walk with God. One readjustment of the rudder cannot permanently prevent drifting; one must continually pay closer attention to keep the ship righted as wind, current, and weather changes.

The second, and much longer section, focuses on the Originator of Salvation. The writer has not forgotten this issue about the angels (as covered in ch 1). He spends considerable time at the beginning of this section (5-9) again separating the role and priority of Christ from that of the angels. Quoting Psalm 8, the writer re-asserts that man, not angels, were given dominion on the earth and created a little lower than the angels. Jesus, who for a time was made (not created) to be lower than the angels (in the form of man) suffered and died on behalf of everyone and now is crowned with glory and honor.

We can see how this sets the stage for the argument to follow. While angels have a ministry and purpose, man was made lower than the angels and given dominion on the earth. Jesus did not have to become like an angel in order to save human-kine; He had to become a man and suffer willingly unto death to pay the debt for our sin.

Verse 10 (one of the memory verses) picks up on this; It was fitting for God (who made everything), in order to bring salvation to humanity, to make the blameless sacrifice (Christ) perfect through suffering. This is not to say that Christ wasn't already perfect (which He was in every way), but that his role as High Priest (more to follow) was made complete by His 'completion' of the human life and His victory over it in resurrection.

Look at the beauty of verse 11; because Christ and those He sanctified are of the same source (family; like in human-hood), He is not ashamed to call us brothers. Wow. And then we get 3 OT references to back it up (Ps 22:22, Isa 8:17,18). Verse 14 continues the explanation: we share with Christ in flesh and blood, and because He partook of all the sufferings of humanness even unto death, we can be free from slavery to fear! He beat the human life through His suffering, death, and resurrection so that we (not the angels) could be free. Hallelujah!!!

At 17-18 we get the clincher. He had to be made like us in order to 1) fully be qualified as our high priest, 2) take care of our sin debt, and 3) help those who suffer under temptation. Because of His incarnation, His life, His suffering, and His death, He proved to be the one and only worthy Lamb who could completely pave the way for the redemption of mankind. This would all be impossible if Christ were anything but fully man and fully God.

How does this affect my worship?
The joy and impact of the incarnation should not be limited to the yuletide season. The implications of Christ's work in birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension stretch to the very core of our salvation. He had to become a man to save mankind. So 'Go, Tell it on the Mountain' that Jesus Christ was born!

How does this affect my discipleship?
Look at the last couple verses in light of the relationship God wants with us. Christ becoming like us was not just some isolated event to technically and legally deal with sin, it allows Him to be our merciful and faithful Advocate and to help us when we are tempted. He went through what He had to in order that we may have life and so He could help us through life. He gave His life for our sin and now He offers us His life (eternal life) now and forever. His work was not finished at our redemption and regeneration; He continues His work through our relationship with Him.


May we all pay closer, and closer attention to what we have heard,


Ethan