More cut and paste blogging. \ud83d\ude42 This is the second in that series of reports we did in the small group I was in a couple of years ago. This time the assignment was the cross. My favorite book in the Bible is Hebrews because of the insight into the cross it provides. Here’s my take on it, written in outline form.<\/i>
\nHebrews and the Cross
\nWritten 12\/15\/2001
\nHebrews 1:3 – Jesus sat down after he had provided purification. (See also Hebrews 4:9-10, Sabbath rest, rest from the work of achieving salvation, and Hebdrews 8:1)
\nHebrews 2:9 – By God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for all of us.
\nHebrews 4:15-16 – Because Jesus was just like us, tempted to sin, fighting for relationship with God, dealing with the struggle of life, we can approach God’s throne with confidence. Not meekly, or intimidated by his perfection. But confidently, no BOLDLY, because one of us has made it. He has done the impossible and defeated sin.
\nHebrews 5:1-4 – Jesus was in the mold of the priests that went before. Taken from the people, like them and sharing their experiences.
\nHebrews 6:19 – Our hope anchors us. What is an anchor for? It is intended to keep a ship from moving, especially when a fierce storm tries to push the boat in all sorts of directions they do not want to go. Where does our hope anchor us? Behind the veil. The Holy of Holies. This is where God was in the temple. What is our hope? Salvation (v.9-11) So our hope in salvation through Jesus death on the cross ties us directly to God.
\nHebrews 7:11 – We could not be tied to God this way with the old system.
\nHebrews 7:13-18 – Jesus was not qualified to be a priest because he was not a Levite. But he was qualified because of the power of his life. Because Jesus’ priesthood was superior to the former, the old is set aside and the new takes over. A better hope is introduced. What was the old hope? That they might remain in good standing with God by keeping up with the law and the sacrifices. What is the new hope? That we might live eternally with God.
\nHebrews 7:23-27 – The old priests had a limitation on their ability to go to God to intercede – they died, But because Jesus can save us completely because of his eternal nature. Jesus meets our need (v.26)
\nHebrews 8:1-2 – Jesus sat down next to God in heaven when he was done. For the Hebrew, this was important because the priests never sat down while they were on duty symbolizing that the job of washing away sins was never done. But Jesus sat down, not in the earthly temple but in heaven, the real deal. The temple was only a copy of Gods throne and temple in heaven.
\nHebrews 9:6-9 – Year after year after year, this is how the people maintained their relationship with God, through the priest.
\nHebrews 9:11-14 – Jesus did the same thing, once and for all and not in the temple, but in heaven.
\nHebrews 9:22-26 – Jesus purified heaven itself with his blood, and once for all.
\nHebrews 10:14-18 – One sacrifice and we are PERFECT FOREVER! There is no more sacrifice needed.
\nHebrews 10:19 – Remember what it said back in 9:7? ONLY the high priest, ONLY once a year and NEVER without blood. Read 10:19 again. Because of Jesus blood on the cross we can walk into God’s private office and sit down with him. That is the nature of the relationship we have gained. It is that intimate. Would George Bush invite you in to the Oval Office? God will.
\nHebrews 10:19-25 THIS is how we should live if we truly understand what God has done. We can breathe a deep sigh of contentment, no matter what the situation, and go on, knowing where our anchor is.
\nHebrews 12:2 – What was the joy that motivates Jesus to go to the cross? Well, what was set before him? His hope of returning to heaven with God. And that same hope, because of the cross, is what is set before us as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"