Introduction:
We are going to leave the apostle Paul, briefly, as we examine other historical developments and other Holy Spirit-inspired biblical writings, that were manifesting at approximately the same time as the apostle was placed under house arrest in Rome (60 A.D.)
First, we are going to consider the biblical book of Hebrews. The author is unknown. There are those who believe the author could have been Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, or other disciples.
What we do know, from his writing skills, is that the ‘Author’ (how I will continue to identify him), was a Hellenistic Jewish Christian. His skills in Greek exposition were exceptional, demonstrably far better than any other New Testament epistle writer.
It can also be deduced that this epistle was written prior to the Roman destruction of the Temple, because the Author tells of the priestly activities that occur there – happening in present time. The Author also appears to be writing his letter in Italy (13:24), to the Jewish Christians in Judea.
Sixty years had elapsed since Christ’s ascension; and many of the Jewish converts were wavering in their faith because He had not returned yet. The Author is trying to turn them from this apostasy, and cling to their Savior, by expounding upon the superiority of the New Covenant. He begins:
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. Heb. 1, 2. NLT
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs. Heb. 1:3, 4. CSB
There is a lot to glean here. The Author is elevating Jesus to the high level of His Father – above even the angels. Furthermore, Jehovah now speaks to us, not through prophets, but only through His Son – whom we know petitioned His Father for the Holy Spirit, to deliver those words to us.
Also, we are reminded that God created the universe through Christ, who, sustains that same universe (see Gn. 1:26, 27; Jn. 1:2,3.)
Moreover, it is revealed that Jesus is the exact expression (‘imprint’ in some translations), affirming the He is the visible character of the invisible God, who speaks for His Father.
Lastly, when Christ was resurrected, He received His crown from Jehovah, (co-equal to His Father), to rule over the entire earth. What the Author is doing in the aforementioned Scriptures, is exalting Christ over all things, so that the Jewish believers comprehend that the Gospel is being delivered to them directly from the Divine Son, in its pure form – no longer needing human conveyance. He is the ultimate authority.
The Author continues:
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through the angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and act of disobedience was punished.
So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? Heb. 2:1 – 3. NLT
What the Author is doing, is appealing to the Jews’ knowledge of the Old Testament – which showed that every time an angel would appear, its pronunciations invariably came to pass. The Jews were also well aware that the angels testified of the coming of the Messiah.
Continuing, the Holy Spirit-inspired Author asks his audience to consider ‘present-day’ proofs for the veracity surrounding Jesus’ Messiahship:
And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. Heb. 2:4, 5. NLT
In other words, he is asking the Jews, ‘What more proof do you need?’
The Author then delves deeper into the salvation process. We’ve seen that Jesus in heaven is exalted over the angels. The Jesus on earth could not be, because He had to take on mortality:
What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.
God, for whom and through whom, everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus in not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Heb. 2:9 – 11. NLT
Jesus tasted death so we don’t have to. Angels do not die. Jesus took on mortality, so that by His sacrifice, He could nail our sins to the cross forever. So yes, briefly, Jesus was at a little lower level than the angels.
Christ also subjected Himself to the ‘human experience’ (suffering), so that He could compassionately identify with our weaknesses and suffering, when He intercedes for us before the Father.
Furthermore, Jesus calls His followers His ‘brothers and sisters,’ acknowledging our connection to his human side, when we accept Him in full faith with our spiritual side:
Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Heb. 2:14, 15. NLT
Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that could take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. Heb. 2:17, 18. NLT
Jesus conquered death for all His believers. We will not feel death’s sting; therefore, we need not fear death. Our transition will be immediate and glorious (see Eccl. 12:7). Until that time, our High Priest can identify with anything that we are going through in this world, (He being a conqueror of all of them), and doesn’t hesitate to send the help, compassion, and healing that we need in any situation.
Seeing that the angels cannot do these things, alludes to Christ’s present higher standing over them.
The Author now contrasts Jesus with Moses – the greatest biblical prophet in the eyes of the Jews, as well as being the Holy Spirit – inspired author of their entire Torah (Jewish law):
…think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.
But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person deserves more praise than the house itself. Heb. 3:1 – 3. NLT
Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast. Heb. 3:5, 6. CSB
So, the offices of the apostle and high priest are combined in Jesus, as opposed to Moses, who was the apostle, but his brother Aaron, was the high priest. Jesus, the apostle, pleads God’s case to us. Christ, the high priest, pleads our case to God.
Moses served* the house (tabernacle) of God, Jesus oversees the house. We are the house if we cleave to our Savior. *(Part of Moses’ servitude was to declare the greater importance of the coming of the Messiah):
(Moses continued, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.” Dt. 18:15 NLT)
Next, the Author pleads with his audience to exercise endurance in maintaining their faith in Jesus, and in the dangers waiting for them if they do not:
That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’” Heb. 3:7 – 11. NLT (See also Ps. 95:7-11.)
Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Heb. 3:12 – 14. NLT
God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble in fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news – that God has prepared this rest – has been announced to us…only we who believe can enter his rest. Heb. 4:1 – 3. NLT
Summing up:
So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper that the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 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. Heb. 4:11 – 13. NLT
Thus, all followers of Christ are called to persist in faithful obedience to the word of God and to hold tight to His promises (accomplished through Jesus), to be able to embrace their eternal bliss in heaven.
To be continued…
Goodnight and God bless.