My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,    2      So that you incline your ear to wisdom,    And apply your heart to understanding;    3      Yes, if you cry out for discernment,    And lift up your voice for understanding,    4      If you seek her as silver,    And search for her as for hidden treasures;    5      Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,  ...

The way that we perceive the world changes the way we interact with it. Look at the various cultures around the world and how differently they act. In some countries, it is an insult to deny a glass of wine when your host offers it. In others, it is shameful to show the bottom of your feet. Others still, it is appropriate for a son to order his mother around. The culture you live in and the way yo...

Sweat was dripping down my brow. I breathed a series of heavy breaths and shakily lifted myself from the mat I was just recently thrown down upon. Standing up, my hapkido instructor announced that we would conclude our sparring and finish off with some stretches. My dad stepped in and talked to my instructor while one of the higher ranks led us in concluding stretches. As we finished, I returned t...

We get an interesting context to the audience that the book of Hebrews is written to. These are not some new believers that are falling to small deceptions and fears of persecution. These are seasoned believers. One of Paul's qualifications for teachers is that they ought not be a novice lest they fall to the same temptation as the devil. The writer of Hebrews is telling them that by this time, th...

These few verses pack a heavy punch. While they may be few in words in comparison to the other sections we have covered, the significance is not lost on them. The writer of Hebrews addresses his audience. He just began speaking of Melchizedek and mentioning that he wishes to speak further on this topic. There is a problem with the audience though. They have become dull of hearing. Their dullness o...

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exe...

I always love taking opportunity to be in awe of the Lord and give Him praise. Let us praise the Lord for giving us access to the Father by the Son. Take the opportunity of that access to pour love back upon Him as He has poured it on you. Do not fret on whatever emotions you may be feeling or weight that may be upon you. Praise can uplift the soul of the weary. Let yourself be led by the declarat...

9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him-Hebrews 5:914 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.-John 15:14 It has come to my attention throughout my years of pastoring that many Christians view obedience as optional. The one thing we needed to do was put our trust in Jesus. Now we are set for heaven and obedience has nothing to do with ...

Just as the lesson clearly demonstrates to the original audience that Jesus is enough, so also does that lesson reflect back to us. It is important that we recognize that we still needed a mediator between us and the Father. We have direct access to the Father through the Son. 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.-John 14:6 We wo...

The Jewish reader would have clearly understood what is being said here. They understood what it was like to have a high priest. They knew the rules and regulations. They knew the purposes that were filled by the high priest. Many of them at some point likely looked up to the high priest for guidance and direction. Nevertheless, access may have also been limited to the high priest. The way that th...

There are many important references throughout this section, though the most prominent is that of the high priest. This takes us all the way back to Exodus where Aaron was anointed, having been chosen by God, as the first high priest. There are a few important details about the role of the high priest that makes what is stated concerning Jesus in this passage particularly powerful. The high priest...

The previous chapter began to hit on an important understanding of Jesus being our High Priest. Chapter 5 of Hebrews gives a little more context to what is being said.Drawn from Leviticus, the writer of Hebrews tells us how the priestly order was made for the sake of things pertaining to God. When a high priest was chosen, they were chosen for the sake of offering gifts and sacrifices for sins. Be...

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to hi...

Considering the reality that we have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness and has instructed us to come boldly to the throne of grace, let us practice that today. Whatever may be weighing upon you, be that the depths of sin or the height of praise, bring it before the Father! Seek His face that you may find mercy and grace to help in time of need!......

The actionable step is undoubtedly to follow through with what is written. Come boldly before the throne of grace. We do this in prayer, worship, and in diving into the word of God. Given that this application is so clearly driven, I want to focus my attention on the approachability of this throne.The throne room experience would be a terrifying one. To approach a king in those days was no light m...