1/28/18 Reflections

Summary:

  • A letter of encouragement to Christians being tempted to reject Christ for Judaism.

Insights:

  • 1:3 – Jesus/God’s short time on earth can be summed up as: “making purification for sins”
  • 1:6 – Jesus is referred to as “firstborn” in Hebrews (as well as Colossians 1; Romans 8:29)
    • 1:8 – though this is seen as congruous with Jesus being God
  • 1:6, 10-12; 2:14; 3:2-4; 7:3; 9:12 – Jesus = God
    • 2:14 – by implication, to “take on flesh and blood” means He was not, by nature flesh and blood, but was/is God
    • 9:12 – Jesus’ blood secures an “eternal redemption” because He is eternal (e.g. God)
  • 2:4 – God, not us, determines when and how Spirit gifts are used
  • 2:9-10 – our glory will come as we suffer like Christ
  • 2:17 – we may be taken through experiences to better relate with those we minister to
  • 3:10, 16-19 – being an Israelite does not ensure good standing with God
  • 3:18-19 – obedience and belief are used interchangeably
  • 6:8 – hell alluded to
  • 6:18 – two unchangeable things = Gods character and word
  • 7:26 – Jesus: separated from sinners
  • 8:9 – God showed no concern for His people when they cast off his covenant 
  • 9:7 – unintentional sins covered by Day of Atonement 
  • 9:8-9 – hints at import of temple destruction and may indicate dating of Hebrews (before 70 AD), while the writer was aware of Jesus prophecy in Matt 24; etc.
  • 9:9-10 – shows place for law: ultimately Jesus deals with conscience over ritual 
  • 9:13-14 – law purifies flesh vs Christ purifies conscience
  • 9:17-22 – new covenant went in effect at Christs death
  • 10:2, 10, 14 – Jesus’ sacrifice affects future sins, too.  We are always clean in Him!
  • 10:5, 15-17 – Scripture = Christ speaking
  • 10:24 – this is consistent with Paul, namely that first we understand Jesus sacrifice, then that should extend to love especially within the body
  • Heb 10:25-31 … there is something worse than “dying without mercy”
  • 11:1-3, 7, 8 – the foundation of faith is invisible 
  • 11:9 – inheritors of the promise don’t have glamorous lives almost ever
  • 11:16 – God is not ashamed to be called our God, when we don’t see this life/world as a home
  • 11:28 – God = The Destroyer (compare Exod 12)
  • 11:31 – Jericho was “disobedient” and thus incurred judgment 
  • 11:34 – They “were made strong out of weakness”
  • 12:3, 7 – Christ endured suffering from sinners (for others’ holiness).  In contrast, we endure suffering from God (for our own holiness). 
  • 12:15 – we must obtain (at some level) the grace of God
  • 11:27; 12:18 – God described as “invisible” and “not…what may be touched”

For Brian to obey:

  • 1:9 – hate wickedness
  • 4:12, 13 – be saturated in word more; to expose and change my heart more
  • 6:3 – don’t presume God permits even things that seem godly and desirable 
  • 13:2 – show hospitality to strangers
  • 13:15 – continually offer up a sacrifice of…lips that acknowledge his [Jesus’] name