Letters to the Church

The Letter to the Hebrews highlights several aspects of the Son of God, especially his priesthood and one-time sacrifice. In doing so, the stress falls on the permanence of his priestly office, and the non-repeatable nature of his sacrifice. In his death, he “ achieved the purification of sins ,” and consequently, he now intercedes “ forevermore ” for his people as their High Priest. And his unique sacrifice dealt with sin “ ONCE-FOR-ALL .”

The priesthood of Jesus is a key subject in the  Letter to the Hebrews . He became the “ merciful and faithful High Priest ” who now intercedes for “ his brethren ” from the presence of God. This subject was anticipated in the Letter’s opening paragraph, including the uniqueness of his priesthood, when the Author declared that he “ achieved the purification of sins ,” and then afterward, he “ sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High .”

The  Letter to the Hebrews  is structured around a series of comparisons that demonstrate the superiority of the “ word spoken in the Son ” over all past revelations “ spoken in the prophets ,” including Moses. Jesus surpasses even the Great Lawgiver. The previous prophetic words provided by the Hebrew prophets were true but partial, promissory, and preparatory. But now, “ upon the last of these days ,” God has “ spoken ” with great finality in one who is a “ Son .”

After urging believers to enter God’s “ rest ,” the  Letter to the Hebrews  provides an eloquent description of the powerful word of God, then it returns to the subject of the Son’s priesthood “ after the order of Melchizedek .” Believers must strive to enter His “ rest ” while the opportunity remains - “ TODAY, hearken to His voice .” In contrast, ancient Israel refused to believe the words of Yahweh, therefore, Joshua could not lead the nation into the Promised Land.

A key point in the opening paragraph of the  Letter to Hebrews  is the accomplishment of the Son on behalf of his people, and his exalted position at the “ right hand ” of God as their High Priest “ forever after the order of Melchizedek .” He alone secured what none of his predecessors did or could do. Through his sacrificial death, he “ achieved the purification of sins ,” and afterward, he “ sat down ” in the “ true and greater Tabernacle ” in God’s very presence where now he intercedes for his church.

A key theme in  Hebrews  is the elevation of the “ Son ” to minister in God’s presence as the result of his sacrificial death. In his sufferings, he was “ perfected ,” and in his resurrection, God vindicated him by “ seating ” him at the “ right hand of the Majesty on high ” where he intercedes continuously on behalf of his “ brethren .” But the stress is not on his status as the king who reigns over the Cosmos, but on his present position as the merciful High Priest who ministers for his people from the “ throne of grace .”

The definitive “ word ” that God now speaks “ in the Son ” surpasses all the past revelations made in “ the prophets ,” including Moses. Jesus went beyond them, “ having achieved the purification of sins .” Consequently, he “ sat down ” at the right hand of God and inherited “ all things .” And among other things, his exaltation signaled the commencement of the promised “ New Covenant .”

The  Letter to the Hebrews  is built on a series of comparisons that demonstrate the superiority of the word that God has “ spoken in His “Son ” over and above all past revelations “ spoken in the prophets .” The former prophetic “ words ” were true but partial and preparatory. But now, “ upon the last of these days ,” God unveiled a definitive “ word ” in one who is a “ Son .” And the “ word ” He has provided in this “ Son ” is complete and superior to every previous revelation since Jesus has “ achieved the purification of sins ” so vital to His people.

Having established his priestly qualifications, the  Letter to the Hebrews  proceeds to present Jesus as the High Priest who intercedes faithfully and sympathetically for his people. He participated fully in the nature and sufferings common to all men, therefore, his priestly intercession for his “ brethren ” is marked by his compassion for them. The “ Son ” experienced the same death that is common to all men and women, and in doing so, he qualified for the priesthood “ after the order of Melchizedek .” But what set him apart from other men was his sinlessness.

The  Letter to the Hebrews  is addressed to a congregation facing pressure from outsiders, and some members are contemplating withdrawing from the assembly and returning to the local synagogue. The Letter presents arguments for why doing so will have catastrophic consequences by stressing the superiority of the “ Word of the Son ” over the past revelations. The concern is pastoral, and the purpose is to prevent believers from leaving the congregation and apostatizing. And Hebrews urges them to remain faithful to the apostolic traditions.