To the original audience, the words that are shared by the writer of Hebrews would be reminiscent of their current times. They know sacrifice. They know the price of blood. They understand the need for the high priest and the intercession that takes place on their behalf. All of these would ring bells of familiarity that draws the reader to a different school of thought. It is not simply that all ...

As broad as the connections are, to the Hebrew reader, it would be tremendously significant, as well as specific. It is important to remember that the Bible has no filler. It requires no filler. The details can draw a lot of significance for us. The specific reference that is being made in Hebrews draws us back to Exodus 24. Let us take a look at the passage and see how the details mirror each oth...

This week's passage focuses on a particular subject. Jesus' death was necessary. By way of looking at the law, the writer to the Hebrews emphasizes an important realization - Christ had to die and His blood had to be shed. He discusses how things were purified. Water, scarlet wool, and hyssop would commonly be used for purification. More specifically, when it would come to hyssop, they would dip t...

16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with wat...

Take 10-15 minutes and write out what you have been forgiven of. Make it personal. Make it specific. It may feel very vulnerable and scary. Don't worry, you're not going to keep it around. Once you have written that out, dispose of it. Burn it. Shred it. Tear it up. Whatever you need to do, let it be done and recognize that this is the work that Jesus has accomplished for you. As you submit those ...

As I have recounted more of my testimony in these past couple of weeks, I cannot help but examine the response given in Scripture by those who have been healed, restored, or made new. I want to draw our eyes to an event that happened with Jesus and I will build my application around it. 11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as H...

Do you have a clean conscience? As much as this is an invitation to the original audience, it is also an invitation for us. The blood of Jesus is sufficient for so much more than just an idea of forgiveness. It actually washes our sin away.We tend to have a rough concept of this, mostly due to how we handle forgiveness in our culture. I remember this so much as a child. I would do something wrong,...

This may be something that has existed beneath the surface for the entire argument thus far, and it will continue to. But beneath the surface of the argumentation is an invitation for the audience to submit to this.While the original audience were likely already believers, there was the draw to run back to the new. It may have been the case, likely for many of us, that we have not really drawn the...

This passage takes some time explaining the tabernacle and how the priests would serve in those capacities. More than likely, the intended audience would have some knowledge concerning all of these elements and the priestly duties performed. Nevertheless, each of these elements are no doubt emphasized for a purpose. The purpose is to get the audience to think of each of these elements in light of ...

The writer to the Hebrews takes time breaking down some of the differences between the old and the new covenant and what pertains to those.The old covenant had an old tabernacle where ministry was taken place. He describes the different parts of it and explains that each one of those things bears significance, as indicated by the statement that they cannot speak in detail of it at that point. Afte...

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on al...

Take 10-15 minutes abiding in God's presence. Let Him bring to mind those things of the Old that need to be laid down. Trust Him to lead you into the New.......

I am not going to spend a lot of time describing an action point. I will take a lesson from this passage of Hebrews and let the word of God speak for itself. The action and application I want us to practice is simply abiding. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may b...

Unlike the original audience, I did not grow up under the Old Covenant. All I know is the New Covenant. I grew up in the church and have known about Jesus from the time I could remember. I made him my Lord at 12 years old and have been following Him faithfully. So how can this apply to me? In a similar exercise to what we did last Friday, we can look at the things I am actually believing about my ...

I find that the lesson for the original audience is a clear one. The old is passing away. If the old is passing away, and you hold fast to the old, you pass away with it. It may read a little like a "get with the times" kind of passage, but it is true that when the old becomes obsolete, the new becomes essential.Due to how quickly our world and culture moves, we have all experienced multiple times...