During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him … (verses 7-9) - These few verses plunge us into the depths of Christ’s passion. In Gethsemane he cried out in great agony to the

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - A high priest is one who has

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. - I preach regularly. It’s a huge privilege and joy. The scripture comes alive as I study and (when I’m open) it speaks into my own life bef

“So I declared on oath in my anger,‘They shall never enter my rest’” … “Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts.” (verses 3, 7) - Today’s verses follow an extended quotation from Psalm 95 recorded for us in the last chapter (Hebrews 3:7-11). Such quotations from the Old Testament don’t show up haphazardly – when included by the biblical writers they are deliberate and intentional. How much more so when snippets of that longer citation are actually repeated – cl

So, as the Holy Spirit says:“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your heartsas you did in the rebellion,during the time of testing in the desert,where your fathers tested and tried meand for forty years saw what I did …” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have c

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. (verse 1) - “Fix your thoughts on Jesus.”   What a simple, profound statement. Let your mind settle on him. Consider him attentively. Stay focused there. That’s the calling. This same concept is brought forward again later by this very same writer. Having reviewed the heroes of faith, the great cloud of witnesses, the writer rallies

For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (verses 17-18) - We often hear the admonition, “Walk a mile in their moccasins,”  urging us to enter into the experience of another before judging them too rashly. It’s go

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? (verses 1-3) - We are presented here with an “a fortiori” argument – a “how much great than” comparison. And it has huge impact – huge consequences. The writer has spent the whole first chapter detailing th

… his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (verses 2-3) - The Sovereign Lord has spoken. He’s given his final Word. It’s Jesus, the Son. So, the writer of Hebrews now launches into a pointed description of th

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (verses 1-2) - “Let there be light!” These are the first spoken words in the whole of Scripture (Genesis 1:3). Word and light. Sound and sight. In the beginning. The Lord could have snapped his fingers. He could have simply willed the world into bein

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. (verse 14) - “Doing what is good.” Paul’s wording literally contains the phrase “good works” – these are the very things he is eager that we devote ourselves to doing. “Good works.” I grew up in a church tradition that didn’t focus on this phrase at all. Instead, we stressed (rightly, wonderfully) another aspect of Paul’s tea

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour … (verses 5-6) - When he was quite young, our third child couldn’t get enough of the water. Swimming, he loved. Even as a toddler, before he really knew how to keep himself afloat, I’d stand in the shallow end of the pool, hold him out at arm’s length, and then drop him, feet first, into the water. Down he’d go, completely submerged,

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (verses 11-14) - How do we live

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness – a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Saviour … (verses 1-3) - Paul so often strings together such rich concepts, one after anothe

Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. (verse 11) - This sentence is a complete surprise. It’s also incredibly encouraging. Mark had been at the centre of one of the biggest ministry conflicts in the early church, a conflict that played out between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas, “Son of Encouragement,” was one of Paul’s earliest Christian friends, taking Paul under his wing and welcoming him into the Christian community when most others

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (verses 16-17) - Paul starts this chapter with these words: “But mark this.” What follows is a whole list of character traits that will epitomize the last days (in which we have been living since the time of Christ), including “boastful, proud, abusive … without self-control … treacherous, rash, c

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (verses 1-5) - When Paul speaks to Tim

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (verses 20-22) - I’m not sure about your hou