I am starting to teach through the book of Hebrews. This book of Bible explains the purpose of the cross, the advantage of the new covenant, the passing of the old covenant, and exalts Jesus above everyone and everything.
The major
themes of Hebrews:
1.
Jesus is better than angels, Moses, Joshua, and all the old covenant
system (including the sacrifices, and the Ten Commandments).
2.
Jesus ushers in a covenant that is better than the old covenant.
The old covenant could not produce a real people of God. The old covenant was a
type, a picture, and a shadow of the
better covenant: The new covenant. The new covenant, which is secured
through Jesus, produces real belief, real forgiveness of sins, a real changed
life, and a real people of God which is the church. See Luke 22:20.
3.
As you can see the word better is a
theme of Hebrews.
4.
Hebrews is both a warning and a
comfort for believers. The warning is strong. If someone who professes
decides to go back and live under the Law of Moses, he is turning his back on
Jesus. Some Hebrew believers were wanting to go back under what is inferior to
that which is superior. They wanted the picture not the fulfillment, which is
Jesus. The old could never take away sins, never.
5.
Believers need to take comfort in the
cross. Only with the new covenant between Jesus and His church does forgiveness
of sins, a changed heart, and the reality of the types and shadows found in the
old covenant find its true fulfillment.
6.
The church that received this letter
was suffering persecution for their faith in Christ. The author of Hebrews
encourages them to stand firm in the cross and what Jesus accomplished in the
face of persecution.
The book of
Hebrews connects the dots of the old covenant to the gospel. God had a reason
for giving the old covenant with all of its laws, promises, and demands. It
pointed to someone greater. All the types and shadows found in the old covenant
point to Jesus and His new covenant realities.
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