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An introduction to the book of Hebrews.
Paul wrote this letter in about 61 C.E.,
shortly before or after his release
from house arrest in Rome.
The information in the letter indicates
that it was intended for Hebrew Christians
living in Judea.
Many had been Christians for years.
Yet spiritually speaking,
some of these
had gone back to needing milk,
not solid food.
This put their faith at risk
because it was under attack
by the Jewish religious leaders
and their supporters.
The opposers may have argued
that Christians had no visible realities
to aid them in their worship.
The Jews, however, had a magnificent temple,
a priesthood, animal sacrifices,
the Law of Moses,
and a history dating back to Abraham.
Paul wrote to the Hebrew Christians
to strengthen their faith
in the far superior heavenly realities
centered on Christ.
Those realities place Christian worship
high above that of fleshly Israel.
Paul’s letter may have also been helpful
to Hebrew Christians
who were still holding on to the Mosaic Law.
The letter to the Hebrews has 13 chapters.
Chapters 1 through 3
set the theme for Hebrews
by describing Jesus’ elevated position.
He is superior
both to the angels and to Moses.
In chapters 4 through 10,
we see Jesus as heavenly High Priest
far above the sinful Jewish high priests
serving at the temple.
Unlike them,
Jesus is perfect and without sin.
The Jewish high priests
had to offer sacrifices daily
for the sins of the people.
And they offered animal sacrifices,
which had limited value.
Christ entered into heaven itself
to present to God
the value of his perfect human life
as a ransom once and for all time.
Jesus’ ransom also provides the basis
for a new and better covenant
compared with the one mediated by Moses.
Did you know?
At Hebrews 9:9, we read:
“This tent is an illustration.”
Paul was here referring to the earthly tent,
or tabernacle, that Moses set up.
Worship centered
on that tent and its animal sacrifices
could not provide
complete forgiveness of sins.
The far greater “tent not made with hands,”
which is the arrangement
for worshipping Jehovah
on the basis of Christ’s ransom sacrifice,
provides all we need
to have a personal
and everlasting relationship with God.
In chapter 10,
we read that Christ’s followers
should meet together regularly
to encourage one another
—and all the more so as the end draws near.
Chapter 11 focuses on faith,
giving many examples
of pre-Christian men and women
who by faith
were made powerful in word and deed.
In chapter 12, we read
that these courageous men and women
make up “a great cloud of witnesses.”
The apostle then points
to the greatest witness of all
—Jesus Christ, who is “the Chief Agent
and Perfecter of our faith.”
Christlike faith must, of course,
be reflected in holy conduct.
So Paul’s final exhortations in chapter 13
include the words:
“Let your brotherly love continue,”
“Let marriage be honorable among all,”
and “Be obedient to those
who are taking the lead among you.”
As you read the book of Hebrews,
note how Paul beautifully shows
the superior nature of Christian worship,
how we can continue to perfect our faith
as we await the end of Satan’s world,
and how Jesus, our heavenly High Priest
and the King of God’s Kingdom,
is used by God
to eliminate sin and death forever.

Introduction to Hebrews