Last week’s passage of scripture ended with a sobering reminder - that our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29) In light of the awesomeness of our God, the author of Hebrews commences chapter 13 by listing several very practical ways in which believers may offer acceptable worship.

This week’s passage is chalk-full of rich imagery. First, the author uses the scary imagery of Mount Sinai (representing the Law) to contrast the festive picture of Mount Zion, the city of God (representing the Kingdom of God). Then the imagery of spilled blood is used to further contrast a life with Christ from one without Him. Abel’s blood
cried out demanding that justice be served, whereas Jesus’ blood declares that justice has already been served for those who come to Him in faith. Finally, the passage closes with the book’s last warning - reminding us that God is an all-consuming fire who will either purify those who belong to Him or destroy those who don’t.

Using the numerous examples of faith in Hebrews 11, this week’s passage offers practical guidance and encouragement for believers so that we too may live a remarkable life of faith. Using the analogy of running a long-distance race, the author of Hebrews implores us to keep our eyes on the prize as we run with endurance.

This week pastor Mike Wilde covered the remaining portion of Hebrews 11, oftentimes referred to as “The Hall of Faith.” In this passage, the author of Hebrews lists several more inspiring examples of what God has done through people who placed their faith in him. The passage also teaches us that faith doesn’t always guarantee worldly success- sometimes our faith may cost us dearly. Regardless, God commends and
rewards all who place their faith in Him.

This week’s passage includes most of Hebrews 11. Known as the “Hall of Faith” by many cheesy Christians, this chapter is solely dedicated to the subject of faith. Although faith is crucial to our salvation and life in Christ, the Bible never offers a dictionary-style definition of faith. What we have instead is Hebrews 11, which is more of an encyclopedia-style description of what faith accomplishes and what it’s looked like in the lives of other God-followers.

At first this passage seems so repetitious that we might be tempted to skim over it. However, this would be a shame since these 18 verses provide a powerful synopsis of the New Covenant and serve as a crescendo and conclusion of the teaching portion of Hebrews; from here on out the book transitions to exhortation.

As we celebrated Jesus’ victory over sin and death this Resurrection Sunday, we examined Hebrews 9:15-28. This passage provides us with the all-important explanation of “why” Jesus’ death and resurrection carry so much significance for
believers. Like any last will and testament, death had to occur to set the New Covenant in motion. The spilled blood and animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant served as temporary and imperfect signs that pointed forward to the perfect offering of the Son of God. Jesus’ blood now serves as a perfect, eternal covering for the sins of all who believe in Him.

This week we examined Hebrews chapter 8. Building upon last week’s theme of High Priest, this week’s passage examined how Jesus fulfills this role in Heaven. Jesus’ earthly ministry and ongoing heavenly priesthood have fulfilled the Old Covenant and rendered it obsolete. Because of Jesus, we who come to Him in faith obtain better promises through a better covenant.

This week’s passage takes a long and final look at Melchizedek. Although almost nothing is known about this mysterious character from Genesis 14, we do know that he served as both King of Salem (later Jerusalem) and High Priest of God Most High. Like Melchizedek, Jesus has the right to simultaneously be our King and our High Priest. Unlike the temporary and imperfect priesthood of the Old Testament, Jesus will forever remain our perfect High Priest.

This week’s passage looks back on two separate interactions found in Genesis. In the first, the author highlights the unchanging nature of God’s promise toward Abraham. Since the Lords proved Himself faithful to Abraham, we may have confidence that He will prove Himself faithful to us as well. In the second half of this week’s passage, the author of Hebrews uses the mysterious Melchizedek as an illustration of the dual
role that Jesus now plays as our High Priest and King. God, through Jesus Himself continues to prove Himself utterly faithful to His people.