From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2004 7:01 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: July 18 Greetings

The "Let us..." expressions in Hebrews.

The Book of Hebrews is a letter written to Jewish Christians at a time when the persecution of Christians was increasing.  Some wanted to go back to the Jewish religion to escape the persecution.  The writer, however, encourages them to "go on to maturity." "...Leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection..."6:1 His encouragement is based on the superiority of Christ over the former system as we see in his following arguments.

Christ is superior to angels:
"...So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs."  1:4 God said, "...And let all the angels worship Him."  1:6

Christ is superior to Moses:
"Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself."  3:3 "But Christ is faithful as a Son over God's house.  And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast."  3:6

Christ is superior in His position:
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need."   4:14-16

Christ is superior in His qualifications:
"Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. 5:8-10

Christ's covenant is superior:
"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second."  8:6-7

Concerning the new covenant's sanctuary and sacrifice:
"But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hand, that is, not of this creation."  9:11 "Not with the blood of goats and calves but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."  9:12

Now the writer says:
"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed  with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."  10:19-23

There are several warning concerning the danger of refusing God here in Hebrews this is the fifth one: "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.  For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven."  12:25

Though this letter was written to the Hebrews of old its message is a blessing of assurance as well as a warning today.  (Let me encourage you to read the whole letter.)  Therefore, Believer, let us hold fast to the Head for we are His Church which is His body.  May He be glorified in each of our lives.  Amen!