So, if Jesus is a humble, shepherd king to deliver God’s people, then what does His deliverance look like? What does it look like that Jesus is our Redeemer? This is what Matthew focuses on in ch.3: that Jesus delivers us through relationally transforming us into God’s image; not through just fixing others from sin.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Openness"

After declaring Jesus has the right to redeem & reign over us because of how He pursues God’s reconciliation in Matthew 1, the gospel author then gives us an example of what this right to reign looks like. Matthew 2 shows Jesus came as a humble, shepherd king to deliver God’s people; not a prideful inciter to control life.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Third Day Evening: Before Sleep"

Our author concludes their letter today with a powerful charge to application for their audience: what does it look like to endure all things through faith in Christ and in God’s image? In light of Hebrews 1-12, Hebrews 13:1-25 shows us that we bear God’s image as we love others well, clinging to our eternal hope in Christ.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Seventh Day Morning: God's Good Pleasure"

The author of Hebrews continues to show how we live out our great hope in Christ, building off of the call to testify God’s reconciliation through faith in Christ with a charge to endure through faith. Heb.12:3-29 reveals enduring through faith in Christ disciplines us in God’s image so that we bear God’s image in all things.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Earth & Heaven"

Hebrews 11 begins the closing action of Hebrews, where the author makes their application of what we do with this great hope we have in Christ, beginning with the testimony of our lives. Heb. 11:1-12:2 shows us that God testifies His reconciliation through faith, not His law; therefore, we testify faith in Christ, not His law.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Joy"

Hebrews 10 offers a summary of the past images of Christ fulfilling the OT law, showing simply how Jesus is greater than the Law itself. And why? Because God established His reconciliation through His Person, not His Law; because His person (Christ) reconciles our broken humanity.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Fullness in Christ"

After Hebrews 7-8 show Jesus as our eternal & present reconciliation, Ch. 9 challenges our idea of what Jesus’ sacrifice looks like, making the distinction between forgiveness & transformation to show us Jesus’ sacrifice forgives us from sin and transforms us into God’s image; which together reconcile us to God.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "The Convicting Spirit"

Wrapping up Hebrews 7 and beginning Hebrews 8, the author gives some commentary on why understanding Christ’s priesthood is key for their audience. Heb. 7:23-8:13 encourages us how Jesus is our eternal and present reconciliation who brings us into God’s presence both now and forever.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "A Present Salvation"

The author continues discussing Christ’s priesthood as we move into Hebrews 7 this week to bring encouraging hope to their audience, the former Jews in the early persecuted church. Heb. 7:1-22 shows us today how Jesus is our perfect reconciliation who brings both God’s peace and righteousness together to us.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Resting on God"

In the middle of Hebrews, the author pauses from all these different theological discussions on why Jesus is greater to circle back around to their main point for the book: trust that Jesus really is greater. Today, Hebrews 5:11-6:20 will show us that God desires to mature our faith through trust over knowledge to bring us into His covenant life.

// Closing Prayer: Valley of Vision, "Assurance"