A High Priest Forever - Hebrews 1-6

This is Episode #352 and today we’ll read Hebrews chapters 1-6 together.  He has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.   

Show Notes

·       These will help!  Overview videos of all books of the Bible

Visit

·        Visit my website
·        Visit my church
·        Visit The German Shepherd
·        Find me on Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter. 

Bible Study Resources

·        CSB Study Bible – Hardcover or Kindle!
·        The Bible Project’s Bible Basics – Free!
·        Every Bible You Could Ever Want!
·        The Bible Hub – Free!
·        Bible Study Tools – Free!
·        The Bible Project- Free!
          Beth Moore Daniel – Great for Church or Small Group Study

Other Resources

·        Want to use your tablet for Bible reading? Consider Kindle .
·        I love Audible! Try it for free!
·        Want it? FaithGear has it!
·        Wear your faith! Christian Strong
·        Bet Hannon Business Websites designed and maintains my website.
·        Title of song used in the podcast is 3 Joys & the Truth, by Daniel O’Connor

 Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you purchase anything, I may get a small commission.  This does not cost you anything and it helps offset the costs of the podcast.  Thank you in advance.

View my Broadcast License.

Transcript

Joy: You’re listening to Season 2 of the Lifting Her Voice podcast.   This is Episode #352 and today we’ll read Hebrews chapters 1-6 together.  He has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.   

Welcome

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Season 2!  I'm your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me - from the beginning - simply reading God's word together.  We built some spiritual muscles in 2020 with just the New Testament.  But this year we’re going all out, cover-to-cover, Old Testament and New.  So, whether with your first cup in the morning, your commute to work, or as the last thing on your mind before sleep, God’s Word will equip you for every good work.  I’m really glad you’re here!

Intro to Hebrews

Welcome to the book of Hebrews.  For reals, no more letters from Paul.  However, I suppose some would argue this point.  You see, there’s something different about the book of Hebrews…no one knows who wrote it.  Of course, there’s lots of speculation – Paul, Apollos, Barnabas – but no clear winners.  Even though it was attributed to Paul in the early centuries of the church, most today don’t think that’s the case.  

You’ll notice right off that it doesn’t look or sound like any of Paul’s earlier letters.  He doesn’t identify himself, there’s no from/to, the writing style is different…it just doesn’t sound like Paul.  It reads more like a white paper.  Lots of facts, very analytical, very cerebral.  Personally, my vote is for Apollos.  He was so smart, and, as we know from reading Acts, once Priscilla and Aquilla set him straight on the Gospel, he was unstoppable.  He would preach the Gospel from wherever he happened to be.

But regardless who actually authored it, you’ll see right away why it was included in the canon.  It is spot on in both its theology and its overview of the Gospel.  Like a sermon, Hebrews is full of encouragement, exhortations, and stern warnings. And the theme is powerful and is stated this way on esv.org:  Jesus Christ is greater than any angel, priest, or old covenant practice. Christians must not forsake the great salvation that Jesus has brought about. They must hold on by faith to the true rest found in Christ, and they must encourage others in the church to do the same.

Hebrews has thirteen chapters, so we’ll park here for a little longer than our most recent reads.  Trust me when I tell you that you will know the tenets of your faith better after finishing Hebrews.  

Hebrews Chapter 1:

The Nature of the Son

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did he ever say,

You are my Son;

today I have become your Father,

or again,

I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son?

Again, when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

And let all God’s angels worship him.

And about the angels he says:

He makes his angels winds,

and his servants a fiery flame,

but to the Son:

Your throne, God,

is forever and ever,

and the scepter of your kingdom

is a scepter of justice.

You have loved righteousness

and hated lawlessness;

this is why God, your God,

has anointed you

with the oil of joy

beyond your companions.

And:

In the beginning, Lord,

you established the earth,

and the heavens are the works of your hands;

they will perish, but you remain.

They will all wear out like clothing;

you will roll them up like a cloak,

and they will be changed like clothing.

But you are the same,

and your years will never end.

Now to which of the angels has he ever said:

Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies your footstool?

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

Hebrews Chapter 2:

Warning against Neglect

For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.

Jesus and Humanity

For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. But someone somewhere has testified:

What is man that you remember him,

or the son of man that you care for him?

You made him lower than the angels

for a short time;

you crowned him with glory and honor

and subjected everything under his feet.

For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him. But we do see Jesus —  made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone —  crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God — for whom and through whom all things exist — should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying:

I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;

I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.

Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.

Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death — that is, the devil —  and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Hebrews Chapter 3;

Our Apostle and High Priest

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was in all God’s household. For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house. Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast.

Warning against Unbelief

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

on the day of testing in the wilderness,

where your ancestors tested me, tried me,

and saw my works for forty years.

Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation

and said, “They always go astray in their hearts,

and they have not known my ways.”

So I swore in my anger,

“They will not enter my rest.”

Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. As it is said:

Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses? With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Hebrews Chapter 4:

The Promised Rest

Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware that none of you be found to have fallen short. For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith. For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said,

So I swore in my anger,

“They will not enter my rest,”

even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works. Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest. Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, he again specifies a certain day —  today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time:

Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

Our Great High Priest

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus the Son of God — let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Hebrews Chapter 5:

Christ, a High Priest

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness. Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people. No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him,

You are my Son;

today I have become your Father,

also says in another place,

You are a priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek.

During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature — for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

Hebrews Chapter 6:

Warning against Falling Away

Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And we will do this if God permits.

For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit, who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, and who have fallen away. This is because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt. For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.

Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints — and by continuing to serve them. Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

Inheriting the Promise

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Close

We do not know who the author of the Letter to the Hebrews was, but we do know his intended audience: they were Jesus-believing Jews who were in danger of falling away from the faith.  Jesus was a Jew; and yet, he warned against putting new wine into old wineskins in Mark 2:22.  It must have been very difficult to share the grace of Jesus Christ with Jews who were totally grounded in the Law!  

The author begins right away by contrasting the salvation of Jesus with the salvation brought by the angels in the form of the Law.  He goes on to explain that the promised land Jesus will bring to us is superior to the promised land settled by the Jews who were led by Moses and Joshua.   

These chapters abound with quotes from the Old Testament which support the author’s points.  It was important to explain that Jesus did not replace the Old Testament Law; instead, He was the fulfilment of the Law and the Old Testament passages prove that He was the Messiah.  

At the same time, Legalism is incompatible with grace.  We are not saved because of our actions, or as the result of rituals or sacrifice.  We are saved as the result of the unmerited favor of God through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross.  We can never be good enough to earn salvation; it is by grace and grace alone.  

Prayer

Let’s pray.  Lord, I pray today for those who have been indoctrinated in other belief systems, whether Muslim or Jew, pagan or atheist.  I pray that you would open their eyes to the riches of Jesus and the grace He offers to all who call on His name.  Give us the words to sow seeds that You will cause to grow to maturity.  And help us to be ever grateful for the greatest gift of all.  Amen.

Did you struggle with another faith before coming to Christianity?  Share your experience with me at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray that by spending time in His Word every day, you will be changed.  Visit me at Lifting Her Voice.com with your comments and questions.  And don’t forget to visit the Blog page while you’re there.  If you like the podcast, it would be great if you’d give it a five-star review and share it with everyone you know.  Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you tomorrow!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.