Hebrews 7 - He is like Who....??!

Comparisons can save a lot of time. “She tweets like Trump”…there! I’d love to hear all the (clean, I trust!!) thoughts those four words flashed into your mind! “She sings like Adele”…”He scores like Messi”…”She powers the ball like Serena”…”He swims like Phelps.” Comparisons work well when the people are famous. “He makes 3-pointers like Dennis Bone” Who? (Dennis, my classmate in high school, college, and seminary still hits shots from downtown like Steph Curry….old guys rule!! I just won’t disclose that Dennis does not run up and down the court like Curry can! :) So, Jesus is like Mel…. who?! Don’t miss the point. Jesus is Better – that’s our theme. But it is cool how this “walk on” in the drama of redemptive history helps to open-up some amazing truths about just how great Jesus is…even better than this Priest and King named Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7.25 - Always Open

Your ‘religion meter’ might read ‘warm and fuzzy’ as Christmas draws near. For some their gauge turns to ‘angry and bitter.’ Flashes of abuse, divorce, and heartache spark during holidays. Suicide rates spike! Whether you curse God or call on His name you will be glad to learn that Jesus is a Priest. Priests are like doorkeepers. They allow people to enter into God’s presence and find His wisdom, love, justice, patience, and mercy. Jesus claims, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved” (John 10:9) Indeed, “he always lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25). His server is never down, His web site cannot be blocked, His signal has no static, and He can be reached directly even without a gadget. When you find that every door you try to open fails - call on His name.  He left the light on for you.

Hebrews 8.11 - Baptism in the New Covenant

Moses taught ceremonial washing for chosen priests (Leviticus 14.8,9); John the Baptizer made this a rite of repentance (Luke 3.3). This pre-Christian baptism pointed to faith in Jesus Messiah (Acts 19.1-7). These were outward rituals. Jesus brought the inward reality of knowing Him (John 17.3). Christian baptism, “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28.18-20) is for all of his disciples. Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s inward work. Baptism is a beginning; “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” is our life-journey. Baptism announces journey begun; Spirit-enabled obedience keeps us following “to the very end of the age.”  Baptism is a symbol of new life in Christ, and a sign of forgiveness of sins. In the New Covenant “they shall all know me” (Hebrews 8.11). Baptism is a public declaration that you do indeed!

Hebrews 9.11-15 - You Gotta What....??!

Our wonderful Gospel truths can sound like gobbledy-gook to our modern friends. A precious truth of Hebrews is Jesus as “our great high priest.” Are we talking about Genie in a bottle? Or a wizened old guy with a long white beard, a.k.a. “Lord of the Rings”? As we preachers droll on about intricacies of tabernacles, priests, and sacrifices some listeners get M.E.G.O.…”my eyes glaze over”! Yes, understanding Hebrews requires a bit of extra work; a two-thousand-year-old sermon/letter referencing three-thousand-five-hundred-year-old Jewish traditions. For some it is a bridge too far! But just as it can be important to memorize Chinese characters, math formulas, or your wife’s favorites; these facts lead to your future – a bright one with God, now and forever. These texts, shrouded in some historical obscurity, declare our open access to God!  This priest has opened heaven and can open hearts. Indeed He IS GREAT!

Hebrews 9.14 - Washed in Blood!

To us who know we need it, this is a precious thought. But for those not-yet-Christians it is at least strange, if not sadistic. In our world of war, most people appreciate someone giving their life to defend another. So, Jesus, by shedding His blood, did for His people. His blood is human, not magic. But its value is in His worth. ISIS would rather kill a General than a Private, even better a President. Their status adds value to the kill. So, the sinless, heaven sent, God-man, has eternal status and influence. Hebrew priests entered God’s presence with blood – the atoning price for the sin of their nation. Our Great High Priest enters heaven on our behalf because His cross-work removed our sin - past, present, and future. He belongs there, we don’t! But we are welcomed through His blood. Atonement, Propitiation, Ransom, Deliverance, Freedom, Confidence….!

Hebrews 9.27 - The Point of No Return

How do we know when someone is too far gone to be saved? Jonah sinking to the bottom of the sea appears unreachable.  Drowned men cannot repent! “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9.27). Since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6.23) unchecked sin can hurl us beyond the point of salvation.  So far that the Apostle John says, “There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that” (1 John 5.16). But Jonah received amazing grace. People may call upon the name of the Lord with their final breath. While there is still a heartbeat, there is reason for hope. But to reject Jesus as Savior and Lord is absolutely unforgivable. He alone is Lord of Sea and Sky, Sovereign over all, and Savior to all who cry to Him.

Hebrews 10.14, 12.14 - Is it well with your soul?

Our text declares, “he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (10.14). So, how’s being perfect working for you? “Perfection” here is the Hebrews version of “Justification.” Jesus’ cross-work has objectively placed us beyond wrath. We wear His righteousness before God. We are “complete” and “whole” in Him. Contrary to the changing status – based on their compliance with sacrificial duties – of the Old Covenant believer, we are “perfected for all time” – because Jesus’ accomplishment was “once for all.” Two takeaways. 1. Peace.  Amidst the guilt of sin, weakness of your fallenness, disconnect between your “completion” and your conduct, praise God for your perfection in Christ. 2. Push. The perfected are “being sanctified” – intentionally choosing holiness – “holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (12.14). So, take heart, weary soul. Perfection is both a status and a struggle – confidently in Christ!