To the new Jewish Christians, Judaism clung like a garment. The book of Hebrews was written to teach and encourage them in the truths of the New Covenant. The first three chapters tell of the Son, His mission, and the believer’s response.
The Son
With clarity, the author writes about the Son. Jesus is the means through which the Father communicates in these final days. God, the Father appointed Him heir of all things, He, through whom the worlds were created. In his being, He bears the brightness of God’s glory and is the express image of His person. He upholds all things by the word of His power. By Himself He purged us from our sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, superior to the angels who worship Him.
His Mission
The mission of Jesus is also delineated. The Lord Jesus spoke to the apostles of this great salvation, and it was confirmed. God Himself confirmed it by signs and wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. All things were subjected to Him, but presently we only see it through our eyes of faith. What we do see is Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, made perfect through suffering. He who sets us apart, is one with those He sets apart and calls them brethren. He partook of flesh and blood that He might die and destroy the devil, who held the power of death. Then He released those who lived subjected to bondage because of their fear of death. In His human flesh, Jesus understood temptation by experiencing it and thus could help those being tempted.
Our Response.
This being communicated, the Son and His mission demand that we respond. In Chapter 2, the writer admonishes the reader to give earnest heed to what they have heard, lest they drift away. Again, in Chapter 3, he instructs them to be faithful. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” “Beware of having an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” The message continues. Exhort each other daily. Sin is deceitful and causes hardening of the heart. We are part of Christ!
Unbelief kept those refugees from Egypt from fully entering the rest of God.
This day, we, like the early Jewish Christians must lay aside every weight. We must remember the identity of our Saviour, understand the power of His mission, and stay alert in our beliefs, encouraging our brothers and sisters walking alongside us.
