I'm a little backed up on writing my Read Through The Bible (RTTB) in one year in alphabetical order blogs. I think that's because of the two very short H books -- Haggai and Habakkuk.
It was good to read Hebrews again. There was a time when this book just flummoxed me. I guess when I took the time to study it carefully (probably in Seminary) it became clear. Now I love it because of its cogent theology, especially the way it ties back to Old Testament Judaism.
One of the "tentpoles" of Christianity is that Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins--substitutionary atonement. If you're like me and you want to really dig in and understand what that means and how that "works," Hebrews is probably the best source. Chapters 7 through 10, and especially chapter 9, track back to Leviticus and the regulations for worship and sacrifice. The Hebrews passages explain how Christ superceded and perfected the old thinking.
Hebrews encourages us when we sin by reminding us that we have been made holy by Christ's sacrifice. "But now Christ has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:26-28).
I understand Hebrews 10:26-29 as a passage about "unpardonable sin." It's not suicide or any other number of heinous sins. The unpardonable sin is rejecting salvation when it's offered to us in a way we understand, that is, consciously deciding not to believe and accept salvation. The only way to be pardoned of your sin is to believe that God is able to do so and has done so through Christ. If you don't believe that, then what other recourse do you have for pardoning your sin?
The unpardonable sin is not irreversible. If you change your heart and accept Christ, your sins may be forgiven.
I never have been very good with this issue. It's too profound for me and I get tangled up trying to explain it. I think that's why Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not recieve the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15). Little children don't go through all the existential questioning that adults do. They just believe.
Everyone likes Hebrews 11, the "Hall of Fame of Faith." It starts, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Then in verse 6, "And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Again: Faith is believing [what God tells us] absent of "proof."
I also love the passage, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1). Thinking about all the great saints who have gone before us or who are watching us even now is inspirational.
As I was reading Hebrews this time, I was struck by a couple of new thoughts.
In 12:4ff, the text reminds us that some suffering is the Lord's way of disciplining us. Remember that "discipline" is different from "punishment." I think that may be the best way of viewing bad things that happen to us. Somehow, God is using it to his purposes and is molding and shaping us. That's much more helpful than just wondering, "Why me?"
The day that I read 6:10, I had to text it to some of my Young Lives co-workers. It was very heartening: "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." I imagine anyone who tries to serve in God's kingdom gets weary and discouraged; wondering if anyone really appreciates all they do. This verse reassures us that even though other people may not be aware of how very much we do, God is and he remembers it.
Great stuff, Hebrews. I also love the mystery about who actually wrote it. Paul? Barnabas? Apollos? Priscilla?
When my Sunday School class debates what to study next fall, Hebrews will be on the top of my list of candidates.
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