This Sunday we will begin walking through the book of Hebrews, so let’s talk a little about the book. We are not for sure on who penned Hebrews, but we know that author is the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews is understood to have been written some time around 70 AD. In this time, life was extremely difficult for followers of Christ. Persecution was heavy against those who believed in Jesus Christ. Read Hebrews 10:32-39.
If you look to the closing of the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:22) , it is written, “ I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.” An exhortation is an address urging someone to do something.
Hebrews begins with a thorough explanation of Jesus. Jesus is fully God, supreme, above all and over all. Jesus is fully man, being made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
As Hebrews exalts Jesus, it then urges Christians to live by faith in Jesus. The book of Hebrews is loaded with the word Therefore and the phrase Let us. They are beginnings into exhortations (strong urges) for us as believers. Because of who Jesus is, we are being urged to do something.
To get a small taste of this exhortation, read Hebrews 10:11-25. Lets close today back at the end of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:20-21). This can be read as a prayer –
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may DO HIS WILL, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
This is the Word of the Lord! Blessed be the Lord! Continue in prayer with thanksgiving and praise.