Week 51, December 14–20: Hebrews 1–13; James 1–5; Psalms 137–138

• Sun      Dec 14 Heb. 1–2        
• Mon     Dec 15 Heb. 3–5        
• Tue      Dec 16 Heb. 6–8        
• Wed     Dec 17 Heb. 9–10      
• Thu      Dec 18 Heb. 11–13    
• Fri        Dec 19 James 1–2      Ps. 137
• Sat       Dec 20 James 3–5      Ps. 138

Hebrews is a letter, but it can also be thought of as a sermon—a quite long sermon. We do not know who wrote it and, while it complements and fits well with the theology of the rest of the NT, it also has several distinctive characteristics. It is one of the most theologically rich books in all the Bible and is among the NT books most deeply rooted in the OT. From the first chapter through the last, OT quotes are pervasive throughout Hebrews. They form the foundation of the author’s message and function in a variety of ways to support, explain, and expound upon what he is saying.

The author of Hebrews has composed the book in such a way so as to demonstrate a deep belief and commitment to what he states about Scripture: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) He truly believes this, and we can see this by how much he relies on Scripture for his own message.

By reading through the Bible this year we too are seeking to uphold the value of God’s word as expressed here. His word is living and active, and I hope and pray you have experienced that in your reading this year. We experience the benefits of the Bible’s penetrating power on our hearts and minds and lives when we study it and when we simply spend the time to read it.

The main aim of the message of Hebrews is to exalt Christ, the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. Coupled with this doctrinal exposition of Christology, Hebrews is also an urgent exhortation to press on in a life of faith. It includes a tone of strong warning, and also profound assurance that is like a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” (6:19). These dual aspects of exhortation—warning and assurance—are meant to bolster followers of Christ in our faithfulness and our dependent resolve to persevere even in times when our faith is challenged.

The structure of the letter, or sermon, reflects the combination of exposition and exhortation. It seems Hebrews is built on a pattern of alternation, moving back and forth between teaching about Christ and challenging readers to respond in believing perseverance.

The expositional message of Christ’s superiority draws especially on several points of comparison and contrast. The OT is referenced to show how Jesus is similar to but ultimately better than some of the people, institutions, and ideas depicted in the OT. The book opens, for example, with a comparison between the way God spoke in the past, through the prophets, and the way he has now spoken to us through his Son (Heb. 1:1–2). Clearly this is not to devalue God’s revelation of himself in the OT, for the rest of Hebrews is thoroughly dependent on the OT. The author is making the point that the OT itself was meant to point to something greater.

Jesus is superior even to angels (1:4), and he is the better priest than Aaron. The priesthood of Jesus follows the pattern of the mysterious priest-king from Genesis 14, Melchizedek. Even back in Genesis, there was an anticipation of a greater priesthood than Aaron’s. The heart of the book, in chapters 5–7, unpacks this comparison and contrast between Aaron’s priesthood and Jesus’ superior priesthood.

Christ ushered in a better covenant than the covenant Moses mediated at Mt. Sinai (ch 8). The elements of the old covenant—the law, the priestly office, the sacrifices and offerings—these served as a copies and shadows of heavenly realities of Christ and his “much more excellent” new-covenant ministry (8:5–7; see Exod. 25:40). As Hebrews emphasizes, and as we have been seeing in our OT reading (e.g. Deuteronomy 30, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36–37), this new covenant was promised in the OT. Now these promises are fulfilled in Jesus.

Not only is Christ the better priest than Aaron and the one who ushered in the better covenant, but he himself is also the more perfect sacrifice than the sacrifices of the Sinai covenant that had to be offered again and again. “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Heb. 9:26) This gives us great confidence and hope. Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice, cleansing us once and for all by his blood, which is more effective for atonement than the blood of sacrificial bulls and goats. (10:1–10) Once he made that offering of himself, “the single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (10:12–14)

Hebrews is a beautiful book that makes much of our beautiful Savior. Though we will face difficulty in this life, Hebrews exhorts us not to throw away the confidence we have because of Christ (10:35)—confidence to approach the throne of grace and enter God’s own presence (4:16; 10:19). Like those listed in the great hall of faith in chapter 11, let us trust in God and his promises. Those saints of old are put forward as examples not because their faith was perfect, but because their faith was in a perfect God whose promises never fail. Let us also follow in that path, laying aside sin and running the race with endurance, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12:1–2)

The book of James comes after Hebrews. This letter was written by the brother of Jesus, who was one of the leaders among the apostles and elders in the early church (See Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18). He writes this letter to the Jewish Christians dispersed around the world—the diaspora. James is often considered the NT book that most closely resembles the so-called wisdom books of the OT, like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. James’s letter mentions wisdom explicitly a number of times and it highlights the theme of true wisdom from God. It also gives godly guidance on topics like fairness and partiality, the need to be careful with our words, and the importance of humility and dangers of pride. In its literary style it also bears resemblance to Proverbs with its terse, practical insights. As we walk through this life as Christians, we would all do well to heed James’s instructions and call out to God asking for true wisdom that only he can give. 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5–6)

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)