Currently Listening To – We The Kings – Secret Valentine
Today started with the routine of breakfast then work. I can see this getting old somewhat fast this summer. I need the money though. Here in ND it was a beautiful day with sunshine and 70 degree weather. I had to get outside and go do some Frisbee golfing. So I called up some buddies and headed to the course. We got in about 1.5 rounds then it started to rain. This proceeded to television watching and video game mastery. I love the guys. I always have a great time with them.
The last few weeks I have been meandering through Hebrews and pondering over some inner-self, deep realizations. But first a little background on Hebrews:
Written: approx. AD 65
Author and Date: From what I can tell and research I have done, the author of Hebrews is unidentified. In the mid-century, some Christians said Paul was the author. But I don’t think Paul wrote it. In Paul’s other letters he identifies himself and also the style of this book is MUCH different then Paul’s writing style. I think Hebrews was written by someone who had never seen Jesus but heard about the Lord from another eyewitness. (See 2:3) I think, other scholars do to, Barnabas and Apollo may have been the authors. They were associates of Paul.
Barnabas was a co pastor with Paul at a church in Antioch, Syria. He then later served as a missionary though the Eastern Mediterranean.
Apollos was a “good speaker who knew scripture well” (Acts 18:24). It would take a well educated Jew to write Hebrews. Hebrews is one of the most sophisticated writings in the New Testament and is very intimately connected to Jews Scripture.
Sumitazation: In my opinion, the book of Hebrews was written for potential Christian dropouts. As you first read Hebrews, one might think the anonymous writer is only targeting Jewish Christians on the verge of returning to their spiritual roots: Judaism. The writer is just in these accusations because in this, the longest sustained argument in the Bible, he presents a staggering array of evidence to convince them that Jesus Christ – and faith in Him – fulfills God’s promises to Israel. The writer states that God’s written law on the scrolls has been replaced by God’s law written on the human heart and that animal sacrifices for sin have become obsolete because of the sacrificial death of God’s Son. The book of Hebrews is for Jewish Christians but also a place to find advice and guidance on temptation, frustration, and disenchantment. What every you may be going through the writer of Hebrews encourages Christians to keep their eyes on the finish line. “Hebrews 12: 1-2″
For along time, ideas dwell in my head of sin I commit and consequence I will receive. See the thing is, I feel quite often that when I sin, I will be punished soon there after. This eats me alive!!! For example, if I swear(for what ever reason) I will be punished later that day; whether it be mentally or physically. But the truth is that God has foreseen my life in its entirety. I CAN’T change my life story. Its already their and planned. He, as promised through the prophets, established new meaning for forgiveness in this book. Jesus died as the final sacrifice, replacing the sacrificial system of the old.
Verses Highlighted: 10:2-4; 10:16-17
Question: Is His death and sacrifice for ALL man-kind or for the SAVED/ELECT? Let me know yoiur thoughts.
Filed under: Christ, Hebrews, god | Tagged: Hebrews, Sacrifice | 4 Comments »
