When the writer of Hebrews wanted to write about Jesus, to
an audience that obviously had misplaced values, he showed them Jesus is
superior to the angels. Later he told them Jesus is superior to Moses. These claims are discussed at length and the
necessary proof given throughout the Book of Hebrews.
The writer then goes into a discussion of how Jesus is the
high priest of the new covenant. Some of the Old Testament is referenced by
showing how Jesus was like Melchizedek, who was a king and a priest of God. In
Hebrews 10 there is a plea for God's people to be strong and hang on to their
faith, in spite of adversity and suffering.
Read starting with verse 19.
Therefore, brothers, since we have
confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened
for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house
of God, let us.........
It's the "let us" I want us to look
at together.
1. Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of
faith. Because Jesus, our high
priest, has given us the new and living way, we can confidently draw near to
God. Our hearts, filled with the assurance of faith are strengthened to hold on
to him.
2.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for we know he is faithful. The person who is not a believer is described
as "one without hope." Since we now have Jesus as the high priest
over the house of God, we are no longer hopeless, rather we are people of hope.
And not only that we have the assurance that the one who promised it is
faithful. An additional point comes to
us from the use of that word, "unswervingly." I picture a speeding vehicle out of
control. We are told in these verses
that this hope provides stability. It is an unswerving hope we profess.
3. Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds. I have done some horseback riding and I know the horse doesn't like
to be spurred. Most Christians don't either. But the call for us here, when we
are lacking in love and good deeds, we need to spur each other so the love and
good deeds can become a part of us. Spur me gently, and I will consider myself
spurred in love.
4. Let us not give up meeting together. There were some that were in
the habit of not attending the church assembly. The Hebrew writer lets us know
that meeting together is THE way we can be an encouragement to each other. He
further says that we will see the importance of the worship assembly more and
more and the Day approaches.
No matter how Jesus is described, if by the
word Savior, Redeemer, High Priest, or whatever else, the point remains he is
still The Way, The Truth, and The Life for us. We have encouragement from
scripture and should be encouraged by each other to keep on and to be steadfast
in our relationship with him.
"So do not throw away your confidence;
it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done
the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10: 35-36
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