Hebrews

The epistle to the Hebrews.

This is one of the most important epistles that explain

1. Christ Over the Cosmos

2: Jesus has inherited the world.

How was Jesus the -means- by which God created the world? There is some special relationship between the whole cosmos and mankind, and Jesus is the ultimate man.

4: Jesus is above the angels.

14: Angels are sent out to serve the children of God.

2. The Manhood of Jesus

1-4: We must pay attention to the work of God or we drift away. The promises of angels and prophets and teachers came true, and we must never forget what was accomplished.

5-8: God is making a new world not subject to angels but to man.

Yet, there are still evil forces in this world.

9-13: Jesus is going to bring humankind to a state of glory that is greater than what angels have. But he is not just a big bronzy sky god reigning in terror up above. He suffered with us and tasted death. He is our brother.

14: Jesus taking on our flesh and blood means he can share his divine glory with us. By dying he destroys all evil and death, and so we don't need to fear death any more.

15: The fear of death is what enslaves us to passions and to sin. We act with hatred, greed, malice, and lust because we want to be immortal and youthful and strong and beautiful forever. But because Jesus has destroyed the power of death, we no longer need to be afraid.

If everyone trusted in Christ and no one feared death, there would be no slavery, there would be no longer be any evil in the world.

17: Jesus is the ultimate priest because he can be our representative before God, and God's representative to us. He was tempted, suffered, and died like we do, but rules in glory like God.

3. Moses the Servant, Christ the Heir

1: high priest of our 'confession' - which confession is this? The confession of the gospel in faith.

3: Moses built the house of Israel. Christ built the whole world.

5-6: Moses was a servant in God's house. Jesus is the heir.

12-14: All of the work that God has done is proof of the inheritance that we have, but sin is still able to deceive and discourage us. We must hold fast. Or as 2:3, we must not 'neglect' such a great salvation or drift away from it. It has to be seized upon with belief.

17: What story in Exodus is this referring to?

What is 'his rest?'

4. Entering the Rest

8: The land of Israel provided by Joshua couldn't be the full rest. There's something further.

11: Seeking salvation involves striving, not that our striving could earn salvation, but if we stop striving we stop grasping ahold of what God has already given us.

12-13: What does it mean that 'the word of God' is what exposes us and pierces deep into our souls? Is that Jesus? Is that the words revealed in scripture?

14: Hold fast to what confession? Confession of sin or confession of faith?

5. Christ the High Priest

4: No one can appoint himself to be the high priest. Only God can.

7: Jesus did not want to die. He begged God in the Garden of Gethsamene that he wouldn't have to be crucified. But it had to happen to save mankind. Because he was beloved of God, God raised him from the dead. And we can have hope through his advocacy of us before the father that we too can be raised from the dead.

8: As a man, Jesus learned obedience.

9: Being made perfect? Does this refer to his glorification?

Salvation is for those who obey.