T he only good news that we ought to know and remember is that Jesus Christ had already won the war against sin and death. He has made it possible for us to join Him in the afterlife. All we need now to do is accept Him as He is. God is alive today and it may be sometimes be difficult to see this. The world and its demonic nature has still made it look like that only worldly things matter and that the ultimate goal of each one is to achieve their own personal happiness. This is the biggest lie of all, that we should do all to make us happy. Individual happiness at the expense of someone else is the biggest deception of all. The truth is, our lives are never really about us. It is ultimately about God and about others. It is about how you can provide and give joy even at our own expense. This is the model of ultimate and genuine love that Jesus shown us at the cross. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s frie...
The Book of Hebrews is a powerful and theologically rich book of the New Testament, though its author remains anonymous. Traditionally, it was attributed to the Apostle Paul, but many modern scholars believe it was written by someone else, perhaps Apollos, Barnabas, or even Priscilla. The book was likely written before the destruction of the Second Temple in A.D. 70, given its detailed discussion of temple rituals as if they were still ongoing. It was addressed to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were tempted to revert to Judaism.
The central theme of Hebrews is the superiority of Jesus Christ over every aspect of the Old Covenant. The author meticulously argues that Jesus is superior to angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the Old Covenant sacrifices. The book emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, who offered a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin.
Key themes and arguments include:
Jesus' Superiority to Angels (Hebrews 1-2): The author begins by asserting Christ's divine nature and his exaltation above angels, citing several Old Testament passages. "He is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus' Superiority to Moses (Hebrews 3): Moses was a faithful servant in God's house, but Jesus is the Son over God's house. "Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house" (Hebrews 3:5-6).
The Promise of Rest (Hebrews 4): The author uses the metaphor of entering God's rest to encourage believers to persevere in faith, warning against the unbelief that prevented the Israelites from entering the Promised Land. "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:9-10).
Jesus, the Great High Priest (Hebrews 5-7): This section develops the idea of Jesus as a high priest "in the order of Melchizedek," a figure from the Old Testament who predated the Levitical priesthood. This demonstrates that Jesus' priesthood is superior and eternal. "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:6; 7:17).
The Superiority of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8-10): The author contrasts the Old Covenant, with its temporary rituals and sacrifices, with the New Covenant established through Jesus' blood. The Old Covenant was a shadow; the New Covenant is the reality. "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves" (Hebrews 10:1). "And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary" (Hebrews 10:18).
The Call to Faith and Perseverance (Hebrews 11-12): Chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," celebrates the heroes of faith from the Old Testament, illustrating that faith is essential for pleasing God. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). Chapter 12 exhorts believers to persevere, fixing their eyes on Jesus. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Practical Exhortations (Hebrews 13): The book concludes with practical advice on brotherly love, hospitality, marriage, contentment, and obedience to leaders. "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters" (Hebrews 13:1).