September 27, 2022 - Hebrews 1-4

Isn’t Hebrews just a wonderful letter? In times past, God spoke to us in many ways, but he has now spoken through his Son! His Son, who made purification for sin! Who has now sat down at the right hand of the Father! Who is so more excellent than even the angels! Jesus!

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (2:1). In other words, this is very, very important; pay attention! The angels declared the message (“I bring you good news . . . For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ our Lord” – Lk 2:11). The message was confirmed by the Lord himself and those who heard him. The signs and wonders and miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit tell us the message is true.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:14-16). Wow, now, this is something! All of us have struggled with some besetting sin or another, one which we have fought to overcome, but we have many times failed in our struggle. To have to go back to God, over and over and over again, and ask forgiveness . . . well, that just begins to wear on us and even causes us to wonder if we are really saved. “But,” the writer says, “listen! We have a Savior who understands! And we can go back to the throne of grace over and over and over again and receive mercy!” Wow, wow, wow!

Fair are the meadows,

fairer still the woodlands,

robed in the blooming garb of spring:

Jesus is fairer,

Jesus is purer

who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,

fairer still the moonlight,

and all the twinkling starry host:

Jesus shines brighter,

Jesus shines purer

than all the angels heaven can boast. –Anonymous (17th century?)