Study in Hebrews

1. Study in Hebrews Presentation 21

2. Identification With Jesus, Benediction Chap 13v10-25 Presentation 21

3. Identification With Jesus Had some been shaking the confidence of Hebrew Christians by suggesting that Christianity compared unfavourably with Judaism because it had no altar [v9]? The writer’s response in v10 is that ‘we have an altar’-the cross of Christ. But more than that the Levitical priests were not allowed to eat their sin offerings, but the Christian partakes of Christ’s sacrifice which is a true and perfect sacrifice for sin. The Jews were allowed to eat some of their sacrifices and it was a literal eating - in contrast, ours is a spiritual feasting upon Christ. The Christian does what no Jew ever was allowed to do; he enters right into the life of the great sacrifice for sin. The sacrament of bread and wine, speaks of body and blood of the whole life of Jesus. Presentation 21

4. Identification With Jesus The Jew was expressly forbidden to drink animal blood- for ‘the life was in the blood’. John Brown comments; “We are permitted to feast on the whole sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We not only eat of his flesh but we do what none of the priests dared do with regard to any of the sacrifices, we drink his blood. We enjoy the full measure of benefit which his sacrifice was designed to secure. We are allowed to feed freely on the highest and holiest of all sacrifices. Our reconciliation with God is complete, our fellowship with him intimate and delightful.” Note the words of Jesus which proved so abhorrent to his hearers Jn. 6v52-55... Presentation 21

5. Identification With Jesus How do we so eat and drink? Jesus has already answered this question in Jn.6v35 ‘whoever comes to him will not hunger and whoever believes in him will not thirst’. So we feast upon Christ by faith! We receive the benefits of his atoning death ‘by faith’. Under the Levitical system, on the Day of Atonement the sin offering, which the High Priest made was burned OUTSIDE THE CAMP. Those Jews involved were considered ceremonially unclean, defiled and in need of cleansing. Our author finds it significant that Jesus also suffered “outside the gate”. But the place of defilement, Golgotha, becomes a place of sanctification. Presentation 21

6. Identification With Jesus The presence of the Holy One made that which was unholy holy. On the cross Jesus made his holiness available to us by bearing our sin. Following Jesus outside of the camp involves a separation from our past unregenerate life and a separation to him who is the object of the world’s abuse. We cannot be a Christian disciple without identifying ourselves with Jesus and when we do so we cannot avoid becoming the objects of the world’s ridicule and bearing abuse for him. These disciples of Jesus had found the ridicule of the world uncomfortable outside of the camp and were poised to creep back into the world’s camp again. Presentation 21

7. Identification With Jesus There is a also a sense in which going outside of the camp would have meant for these readers a departure from the old Jewish order that they still found so attractive. To accept the old Jewish order as provisional and transitory and as a result cling to the sacrifice of Christ as the only satisfactory sacrifice for sin was something many were reluctant to do. The city of Jerusalem, as a symbol of Judaism, and its sacrificial system has been rendered obsolete and would pass away for it is not an ‘enduring city’. By going out of the camp of Judaism to Christ and his cross of shame they would be stepping into a gloriously new and enduring city. Presentation 21

8. Identification With Jesus They would lose nothing by refusing to participate in Leviticalsacrifices or, Jewish ceremonial meals for they participated in something much better - the perfect sacrifice of Christ. The writer indicates the kind of on-going sacrifices in which they should be involved - clearly not atoning sacrifices for sin, for Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice has satisfied God. What sacrifices can the believer bring? [Cf. 1Pet. 2v5, ‘spiritual sacrifices’]. The first sacrifice described by the author is the ‘sacrifice of praise’. Not just singing hymns - the sacrifice of praise affects our whole being and unlike O.T. sacrifices it is something we should be offering to God continually. Presentation 21

9. Identification With Jesus Thank offerings in the O.T. testament were associated with particular seasons and with the presentation of foods to God but not so now! Cf. Ps. 50v23... Sanctimonious participation in outward forms of worship is to be replaced by a life lived totally to God’s praise. The sacrifice God looks for in our lives also involves a compassionate concern for others cf. Mic.6v7ff also Gal. 6v9ff. Sharing sacrificially to help others in material need was in evidence in the early church [Acts 4v34] with such sacrifices God is well pleased! Presentation 21

10. Identification With Jesus In v17 the readers are exhorted to obey their leaders [cf. v7]. From this it would appear that the writer is clearly confident about the quality of leadership within the fellowship. Good and successful leadership is to a considerable degree dependent upon the willing response of those who have been placed under its authority and in the readiness to follow the lead given. There is an important distinction to be made between authoritarianism and authority, the later crushes the development of both gift and Christian character. Two reasons are given to encourage obedience: Presentation 21

11. Identification With Jesus First, these leaders are in turn accountable to God for their work,‘they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.’ cf. James 3v1, ‘Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly’. Leaders will be encouraged in their work and in the faithful exercise of their office by the willing response of their people. Secondly, obedient response to ministry brings joy to the heart of the one who ministers, it makes ministry a pleasure. cfRom. 16v19, Phil. 2v2, 4v1, 1Thes. 2v19. Disobedience makes the work of the preacher a burden and has adverse effects upon the disobedient - ‘it is no advantage to you’. Ezekiel 3v16-21... 3 Jn.v4... Presentation 21

12. Identification With Jesus In v18 the author refers to himself for the first time. He requests prayer. What does this tells us about the writer? The humility of the man is quite staggering. He asks prayer of a people who were poised to turn their back on Jesus! Can you think of how this request could have had a positive effect? [cfJn. 4v7, Col.4v3, 1 Thes. 5v25, 2 Thes. 3v1.] He had confidence in them and in their response to all he had written. Are we reluctant to ask others to pray for us? If so why? Why do you think the writer speaks of having a clear conscience? He had spoken frankly of the perils of their spiritual condition but it was out of a genuine friendship towards them. Presentation 21

13. Identification With Jesus The writer is also sure that his own conduct can stand up to the scrutiny of man and God. The bonds of affection that he has for his readership are very deep. He would be heart-broken were they to apostatise. The very fact that all of his exhortations spring from a heart of love is evidenced not only by his request that they pray for him v19 but also in his longing to be reunited with them. Had he once been one of the leaders of this church fellowship? Had he founded this church? If so then he clearly has not lost interest in them. Presentation 21

14. Benediction This benediction recapitulates the message of the epistle. God is described as the God of peace because the resurrection of Jesus is the proof both of our reconciliation and the all-sufficiency of his sacrifice. Cf. Col.1v20, Eph. 2v13-14. Israel had been led by other shepherds [e.g. Moses] but only by heeding the voice of the Great Shepherd could they experience peace. The Bible records a number of covenants that God made with his people. These covenants were constantly being updated and replaced or amplified, e.g. the Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic covenants. But now, in Christ, we have an everlasting covenant. Presentation 21

15. Benediction All the other covenants find their fulfilment in this covenant, which will never be superseded. Jesus by his death has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Jesus is described here as the Great Shepherd of the sheep. The writer’s own concern, and the concern of other church leaders are but the concerns of under-shepherds and pale into insignificance when laid alongside the concern of Christ for the flock and his determination to preserve it. The Christian is far safer in Christ than Adam was in the garden of Eden before the fall. What a thought! Presentation 21

16. Benediction All that they require in order to do God’s will and to please him, he has provided v21. Cf. Phil. 2v13. This enabling grace and glorious provision comes by virtue of the believer’s union with Jesus. The pleasure which we bring to God is the pleasure which he enables us to bring thus taking a great deal of the strain out of Christian living. In v22 the readers are urged to receive his exhortation. He has wounded them with the Word and awaits their response. An old English divine described Christians as either vines or nettles. The vine responds to vigorous pruning by bearing fruit. In contrast, even gentle contact with a nettle results in a sting. Are we nettles or vines? Presentation 21

17. Benediction In v23 we are told of Timothy’s release. Imprisonment for one’s faith was commonplace in the early church. Note the absence of drama; the release is reported in a matter-of-fact fashion. Greetings are sent to leaders and people alike and this besieged group of Christians are assured of the concern of the wider church The word “grace” used to conclude the epistle sums up all the blessings of the new covenant, “It is a stream of living water flowing through the desert, a power which enables us to withstand every adversity and to reach the promised land, the place of rest the heavenly Jerusalem.” Spicq Presentation 21