The superiority of Jesus’ priesthood was already evidenced by the fact that while the Levitical priesthood was comprised of mortals who could not continue as priests because of death, Jesus maintains His priesthood forever because He lives forever (Hebrews 7.23-25). Furthermore, the Levitical priests were required to offer sacrifices for their own sins, but Jesus... Continue Reading →

Having established Melchizedek’s superiority to Abraham and thus his superiority to Abraham’s descendants (including Levi and Aaron), the Hebrews author then turned to why an oath was made that the Messiah would be “priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (cf. Psalm 110.4): the Levitical priesthood made nothing perfect (Hebrews 7.11)!  Hebrews 7.18-22, Changing Of... Continue Reading →

Jesus’ role as high priest has been a chief part of the author’s argument of the superiority of Jesus. In explaining why Jesus had to live as a man, the author stated that such was necessary so that “He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation... Continue Reading →

Recall from our last lesson the author’s very real concern that his audience could repeat Israel’s mistake and fall away from the Lord. The first warning of this occurred in Hebrews 2.1 where the author exhorted his brethren to “pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away”. However, these... Continue Reading →

Recall that in chapter 1, the author provided evidence for Jesus’ superiority over the angels: “having become as much better than the angles, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1.4). Having established this fact, the author this warning: “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we... Continue Reading →

Having established that a “Sabbath rest remains for the people of God” (4.9), the author exhorted his audience to “be diligent to enter that rest” (4.10) knowing that not only is the “word of God… living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (4.11) but that no one is hidden from His sight (4.12).... Continue Reading →

Israel was unable to enter the Lord’s rest because of their unbelief (3.19), but a rest remains for the faithful (4.9). However, before moving on the author wanted his audience to understand a crucial point: everything depends on how you treat the word of God. Psalm 95 has figured prominently in this discussion and recall that David... Continue Reading →

After explaining how Jesus is better than Moses (3.1-6), the author introduced Psalm 95 (3.7-11). There, the Psalmist (David according to Hebrews 4.7) exhorted the people of his generation to praise and reverence the Lord, to listen to His voice “today” unless they repeat the failures of the wilderness generation, the people of whom God swore, “they shall... Continue Reading →

The author of Hebrews had established Jesus’ superiority over the angels (1.5-14). Even Jesus’ becoming a man enhances His superiority, for by sharing “in flesh and blood” He was able to both render Satan powerless and be a merciful high priest (2.14-18). Recall that angels had a part in delivering the Law (2.2; cf. Acts 7.38; Galatians... Continue Reading →

The author had demonstrated the superiority of Jesus to the angels by appealing to how the Old Testament Scriptures contrasted the nature of the Messiah with that of angels (Hebrews 1.5-14). And if Jesus is clearly superior, then we are under obligation to heed His word, words which were confirmed by His messengers and by... Continue Reading →