July 8, 2021 — A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also “was faithful in all God’s house.” Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.” Hebrews 3:1-6

“The book of Hebrews frequently uses the word “therefore” in order to connect various thoughts. In the previous chapters, the author has been explaining how Jesus Christ is superior to angels and is, in fact, fully human. As a completely human High Priest, Jesus can serve as our ultimate example. For the Jewish people, there was no greater example than Moses, but according to this section of Hebrews, Jesus is far greater. This verse makes a connection between Jesus’ role as our ultimate example—the “founder of our salvation”—and His superiority to even Moses.” (BibleRef.com)

Why does the author of this letter now make a comparison between Moses and Christ — Moses, who was “…truly faithful in all God’s house, as a servant, But Christ was faithful as a Son over his own house; whose house we are”? Well, in the Old Testament Moses is considered the greatest of the prophets. So it makes sense that to put into perspective the deeds of Jesus, there is no other prophet to compare Jesus to except Moses. Moses receives great glory for leading the Israelites out of slavery into the Promised Land (or at least onto the brink of the Promised Land). Moses led the people to the point of great new beginnings.

Jesus, however, becomes the greatest — not just a great prophet, but is the Son of G-d — and as such, he eclipses all that Moses accomplished for G-d. Moses led the people out of slavery into freedom — Jesus offers all people a path out of slavery to sin, into the freedom of eternal life. And as the people had the choice to follow Moses or not — we have the choice to follow Jesus or not. We have no choice as to whether we receive the forgiveness of sins or not — we simply have the choice to turn our backs on G-d (or not).

“Lord Jesus, to whom shall we go — you have the words of eternal life”.

Pastor Dave

July 7, 2021 — A Study on the Book of Hebrews

 ^“Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sistersin every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” Hebrews 2:14-18

“This points to another nuance of Jesus’ role as pioneer of our salvation and to the importance of his incarnation. By his earthly life of perfect obedience to the Father that opened salvation to others, Jesus serves as forerunner and example of what an unwavering life of faithfulness to God looks like. The entire book of Hebrews, in fact, presents an exhortation to persevere in faith on the long earthly journey toward experiencing the fullness of God’s salvation.” (Jennifer V. Pietz)

Jesus suffered – this we know and believe. But Hebrews 2:18 speaks of Jesus being “tested” or “tempted” (peirazo) by what he suffered, so that he can help other people who are being tested (see also verse 16). Jesus’ suffering in the wilderness as he was tempted by the devil comes to mind (for example, Luke 4:1-13), as does Jesus’ horrific death on the cross, which both his disciples and his hecklers tempted him to avoid (for example, Mark 8:31-33; 15:29-32).

In this context, we can understand suffering not as something glorious or redemptive in itself, but as something that is to be expected when one follows G-d. No one promised us a “rose garden” as a prize for being followers of Jesus. The way of Christianity is a way and a path and a way of living in a world that is hostile to G-d.

Jennifer V. Pietz is a visiting Assistant Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary. In her quote above she writes, “The entire book of Hebrews, in fact, presents an exhortation to persevere in faith on the long earthly journey toward experiencing the fullness of God’s salvation.” My friends, our journey on this earth may be long, it may be short. Either way, our goal is to persevere in faith through both the good and the bad.

Pastor Dave