Hebrews 5:1-10

For NIV reading click here

A few observations:

NIV does not translate the first word ("for") which shows the connection between 5:1-10 and the end of chapter 4.

The author begins to fill out the role of Jesus' as High Priest, especially in terms of His compassionate, sympathetic, and completely effective treatment for our sin.

The sin dealth with here is most all sin except intentional sin (OT sin done with a 'high hand') - that is, those who choose sin knowing it is sin and wanting to make that choice, are not covered! That's a scary thought. The Bible has more to say about this, but here, the sin that is mentioned is sin out of ignorance and wayward sin.

Jesus  was High Priest according to God's appointment.

The emphasis is on the relationship between Jesus as Son and High Priest.

I'm interested in thoughts about v. 7 and vv. 8-10. These verses have led to lots of debate. I have some thoughts on them.

The whole passage points to the eternal effectiveness of Jesus as our High Priest who has made merciful provision for our sin even though it cost Him His own suffering. Thank you, Jesus.

Also, here's a link (NET Bible) to a very helpful online version of the Bible with translator's notes, parallel versions, Greek lexicon, etc. I find it pretty helpful. It's called the NET Bible (can also be purchased as a hard copy).

Hebrews 4:14-16

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus has already been referred to as high priest in 2:17 and 3:1. From this point on, the author really pushes the point and lays out what it means for believers, especially for those, like many of you, who need to be encouraged to persevere, to hang on, to hold fast, and not give up...something Christians have always needed, because living as a real and faithful Christian is not easy. Simple in some respects maybe, but not easy.

In these short veres, we are told that Jesus, in his role as High Priest, sympathizes with our weakness - KJV has 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities.' He knows what you feel when tempted to give up. He knows the feeling of wanting an easier road. He knows the pull and lure of sin's siren.

So...because Jesus truly knows what all that feels like, He says to you, 'come.' Approach the throne of grace and mercy. Go to Him and find help to be faithful. Depend on Him when you fall and need mercy.

A great High Priest indeed.

Hebrews 4:11-13

11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)

Here, the author instructs his readers again, tieing it up with what he has already written with 'therefore.' Because this Christian faith is glorious, because it surpasses everything that has come before and because of the disaster of 'unbelief' of those like the wilderness generation, we are told to 'make every effort' to enter God's rest. No one can 'be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease' (Isaac Watts).

The 'word'/message which was mentioned in 4:2, the gospel, is something that if we truly listen for it, respond to it, gets into our bones and reaches to all that is wrong in our human hearts.

You/I may think we can keep the sin hidden from others or ourselves, but it doesn't escape God's scrutiny.

This is good news, even if it can be painful...so while it is still 'today,' before 'today' is over, we must hear Him who speaks grace and truth into us.

Hebrews 4:1-10

For NIV reading click here

Drawing once again on the Old testament, we read here about spiritual rest by reflecting on the wilderness generation (Exodus-Numbers) as they marched to their new land of rest, Canaan. The invitation is still open to all who in faith and faithfulness live for God...but there is an element of fear involved. The author is pointing at the generation that because of disobedience did not get to enter their rest (Canaan) - and that should serve as a warning that the same can happen to us. So, the spiritual discipline of listening to the Lord is crucial. This doesn't mean we should walk around in anxiety wondering about our future with God. It does mean, we should not treat it too casually.

Ultimately, spiritual rest is not a this-world kind of thing, though we can receive the promise of its inheritance. So, the author says, quoting Psalm 95, 'repent' (turn toward God) and anticipate the rest with God promised to you.

Other thoughts/questions...

Hebrews 3:7-19

For NIV (2010) reading click here Passage

Having been told of the faithfulness of Jesus, the author of Hebrews now warns the readers and us of not being faithful. Jesus has been/is faithful over us, and that faithfulness benefits us...if we hold on to it by trusting in Him enough to live for him. This next section shows what can happen if we don't. He quotes Psalm 95:7-11.

This all concerns the danger of 'unfaith' (Greek apistia) and so they/we are told in 3:12 to 'watch out' (NIV has 'see to it') that none of us turns away. This unfaith is the reason why the generation mentioned in Psalm 95 failed to enter into the land of promise (3:19). The events may refer to some combination of Exodus 17, Numbers 14 and Numbers 20.

As we've seen some already, Hebrews seems to be written to those who feel a real temptation, due to hardship, doubt, etc., to let go of faith and faithfulness. I think we can all identify with that from time to time...

Your thoughts/questions...

Hebrews 3:1-6

1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. (NIV)

This paragraph starts out similarly to 2:1-4. The author here instructs us to pay attention/fix our thoughts on Jesus. We could stop there, pray, seeking to live it out and be all the better, but the author keeps moving on with more support for the seriousness of this instruction. To do this, he contrasts Jesus to Moses. As faithful as Moses was as a servant 'in all God's house,' Christ is faithful 'as a son over God's house.' The contrast is servant vs. son and 'in God's house' vs. 'over God's house.' And, you and I experience the impact of Jesus' faithfulness over us as God's house, IF we 'hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.'

We have everything to gain by standing fast and holding on no matter what, and no matter how long...we have everything to lose by slipping back.

Thoughts...