Hebrews

Jewish Christians of the period faced challenges to their faith from many directions, especially pressure to return to Judaism. The break from Judaism had not occurred and wouldn't until many years yet to come. The book of Hebrews showed early Christians (especially those with a Jewish background), as well as ourselves today, that Christianity is more than a great choice, it is the only choice. It offers hope and life that Judaism or other religions could not offer. It encourages all to remain faithful to Christ Jesus by showing His superior glory and greatness when compared to Judaism in particular.

It was written to a specific group, but its content is relevant to all who seek to have a relationship with God.

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The purpose was to encourage Jewish Christians to stand firm in their faith and not return to Judaism. In like manner, we too need encouragement from time to time to not waiver in our faithfulness as the things in the world and our former lives call out to us.

The author uses his knowledge of Judaism to bring these Jewish Christians to a better understanding of what God wishes them to know about the superiority of Jesus in all things. Although the writer is using two religions (Judaism and Christianity) in this letter, we see clearly that Jesus is superior to any religion or way of life. He is superior for many reasons, as Hebrews shows, but most importantly because it is only through Jesus that we have a salvation that is secure eternally because it was procured by God's own action in removing sin from mankind.

Glory to Christ (Hebrews 1:1-10:18)

Glory to the Church (Hebrews 10:19-13:25)

They are related through Christ. One cannot separate Christ from the Church. The Jewish Christians believed who Jesus was but were having trouble separating Him from Judaism. In a similar way, many today believe in our Lord but have trouble separating themselves from the world in order to live exclusively for the Kingdom (the church).

Jesus is the one through whom God reveals His complete plan for man's redemption. In the past the fathers and prophets pointed to a hope of the redeemer. Hebrews shows how Jesus is that redeemer. It further reenforces how Jesus is deity as, "the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world." It describes the identity of Jesus as glorious and powerful, and as One who is currently reigning with God the Father.

In John 1:17 we see a statement that Jesus brings us the gospel of grace. In Hebrews 1:1-3 we see the writer making the statement that explains how God communicated His will for a relationship with man through the patriarchs and prophets but now speaks His will for us through the teachings of Jesus. In each case, the Law served a purpose of bringing man closer to God. The Law introduced the commands of God for a holy and pure life for the Jewish nation and the necessity for the sacrificial system to achieve this. Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17) with a superior life, teaching and sacrifice. No other message or sacrifice is needed or possible.

Hebrews was written to a specific audience but like the other books of the Bible, offers us insights into God's will and how we can remain faithful through Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews clearly describes how Christ is superior to every element of the Jewish religion and in so doing strengthens the reasons why Christians today should hold fast to Jesus as the only true and living God.