Chapter 12 Verses 1-13
In the first verse, the writer encouraged the first readers of this letter to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that trips them, and run the race set for them with perseverance, because they are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. The writer explained in verse two that the first readers of this letter should focus on Jesus. We also need to focus on Jesus. They needed to focus on Jesus so they would not grow weary and lose heart. Today, we need to focus on Jesus, so we do not grow weary and lose heart. We need to compare our life so far with the life Jesus lived on this earth. We all will endure hardships when we live our lives believing in God. In verse seven the writer encouraged the readers of this letter and us to endure hardships as discipline from God. We endure hardships not because we like hardships, but because righteousness and peace will be ours after we are trained by the hardships. Some lesson and blessing are only learned and received after going through hardships. Chapter 12 Verses 14-29 In verse fourteen, the writer encourages the readers and us to live in peace with everyone and be holy. Without holiness no one will see the Lord, is a fact. The writer gave warnings of things to avoid in verses fifteen through seventeen and gave the example of Esau. In verses eighteen through twenty-four, the writer compared the way the children of Israel came to be in a relationship with God under the old covenant and the way children of God came to be in a relationship with under the new covenant. The warning the writer gave is that if people that refused to be in a relationship with God under the old covenant did not escape, then no one that refuses to be in a relationship with God under the new covenant will escape. The writer also warned the readers and us that God will shake the earth and heavens. Only what cannot be shaken will remain. Only the kingdom of God will remain after he shakes the earth and heavens. In verse twenty-eight, the readers are encouraged to worship God with reverence and awe and be thankful. We also need to be thankful that our inheritance as children of God is the kingdom of God and it will last forever. Have you been disciplined by God recently? What have you learned from God’s discipline in your life so far? What are your thoughts and feelings about your inheritance from God?
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Chapter 11 Verses 1-16
The writer of Hebrews defined what faith is in the first verse. Faith is being sure of what our hope is in and confident when we do not see it. The second verse was a reminder to the first readers of Hebrews that the ancients were commended for their faith. The writer gave several examples of people that acted in a way pleasing to God, because of their faith in God. Verse six was a reminder to the first readers of Hebrews and reminds us that we must have faith to please God. The ancients were living by faith when they died according to verse thirteen. The writer of Hebrews did not want the readers of this letter to stop believing or placing their faith in God. Verses thirteen through sixteen were written to encourage people to keep their faith in God. Yes, they may die before they receive what is promised to them, but God will still give it to them when they get to the city, he has prepared for them. Chapter 11 Verses 17-40 The writer gave more examples of people that lived by their faith in God in these verses. The writer shared some of the positive things that happened in their lives. The writer also shared some of the negative things that happened in their lives in thirty-five through thirty-eight. Not all people that place their faith in God will have an easy life on this earth. Choosing God instead of what the world has to offer caused some of the hardships and pain that the writer listed. Choosing God is the better choice, because God has planned something better than anything the world can offer. God has planned that all the people that believe in him will be made perfect together. What encourages you not to stop believing in God? What encourages you to hold on to the promises of God? What keeps you from choosing the world instead of God? Chapter 10 Verses 1-18
The writer of Hebrews continued sharing about the sacrifice Jesus made in these verses. An important fact was shared in verses four and eleven. The sacrifices priests offered, the blood of bulls and goats, could not take away mankind’s sins. Jesus offered the only sacrifice that can take away mankind’s sins, his body. A key difference between Jesus and the priests that follow the law is that Jesus sat down after he finished offering his sacrifice. Jesus laid down his life once. Jesus has made those that are being redeemed perfect forever by his one sacrifice. Chapter 10 Verses 19-39 The writer of Hebrews encouraged the first readers of this letter to: draw near to God, because Jesus grants access to him; hold on to their faith, because the one who promised is faithful; encourage each other to love and do good deeds; meet together; and encourage each other as the day of judgement gets closer. We need that kind of encouragement today. We all need to persevere in the challenges we are facing from day to day. After we accomplish God’s will in our life, he will reward us. The righteous live by faith. The amount of time before Jesus returns is getting shorter each day that goes by. Those that believe will be saved. Are you still reminded about your past sins? What has Jesus told you about your past sins? Do you have someone in your life that encourages you like the writer in verses twenty-two through twenty-five? Chapter 9 Verses 1-10
The writer of Hebrews described how the priests and high priest ministered in the Old Testament when there was an earthly sanctuary. The rules and laws that the priests followed were to show them that their efforts to atone for their sins were not enough on their own. The high priest could only enter the Most Holy Place once a year after offering a sacrifice of blood for himself and the people of Israel. Leviticus chapter 16 gives details that the high priest was to follow on the Day of Atonement. Chapter 9 Verses 11-28 In these verses, the writer of Hebrews described how the sacrifice of Jesus was better than the yearly sacrifice the high priests made under the Old Testament. Faith in Jesus and his sacrifice does what sacrificing animals couldn’t do. Faith in Jesus grants us forgiveness of our sins and cleans us up of our unrighteousness. Faith in Jesus also grants us adoption into the family of God and inheritors of everlasting life with him. Humans couldn’t enter into God’s presence before Jesus. Our sins wouldn’t allow us, because God is perfect. Jesus shed his precious blood on our behalf so we could live with God without barriers. How has the sacrifice Jesus made, on your behalf, changed your life? |
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