“For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

(Hebrews 9:24)

How powerful is Jesus?  Consider this – if you were to stand in the presence of God, it would kill you.  Jesus appears continually in the presence of God and successfully changes His Father’s mind every day.  You were lost – Jesus asked for your sins to be forgiven. God changes His mind.

Jesus wields the power to stand before the great I Am and alter His judgment.

Oh, and by the way, because of Jesus – you can change God’s mind, too.  It’s called prayer.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.” (John 16:23)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.”

(Hebrews 9:7b)

Though there is much to be learned from Hebrews 9’s teachings on sacrifice, the priesthood, and the cost of sin… I want you to pay close attention to the last word of this verse: ‘ignorance’.  The cost of sins committed in ignorance is still blood.  If I do not understand I am breaking a law, I am still guilty of violating it.

A common excuse for bad behavior is to simply have “not known any better”.  The Bible clarifies for us that ignorant sins are still sins.  Disobedience doesn’t always look malicious and openly rebellious – sometimes disobedience comes in the form of ignoring commands and quietly living as we please instead of how He pleases.

We cannot say we are “good” merely because we didn’t know about the bad we were doing.  Ignorance brings only temporary bliss – eternal bliss only occurs in the blood of Jesus.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship…”

(Hebrews 9:1)

It is not in vogue to have regulations for ourselves.  We are fond of regulating businesses, imposing environmental regulations, and regulating the behavior of others… but self-regulation is not particularly popular.

It is especially out of step with the culture to regulate worship.  Shouldn’t our worship be free and “moved by the Spirit”?  Aren’t we supposed to feel deeply and allow our emotions to launch toward God unfiltered and unrestrained?

Turns out that God is quite serious about regulating worship.  When Hebrews 9:1 says, “even the first covenant” – implied is the idea that the second covenant, Christianity, would be even more likely to include regulations for worship.  After all, our worship is “divine worship” and should match the desires of Him whom we are worshipping.  If our worship isn’t regulated in some fashion, it is likely that the worship is more about what we desire to give than it is about what He desires to receive.

Is worship about God or about us?  If it is about us, it is likely to be unregulated and displeasing.  If it is about God, it should be well-grounded in biblical roots in order to be pleasing to Him who wrote the Bible.  After all, Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray (see Luke 11:1).  Jesus did not answer by saying, “However you want!”  Instead, He taught them how to pray.  Divine worship requires divine direction.

It may not be popular, but it is true nonetheless.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”

(Hebrews 8:5)

Patterns are for following.  Patterns can be traced, emulated, followed, and sometimes, even anticipated.  A pattern allows us to recreate something by following the design.  Sometimes patterns look like a guide (such as for needlework or drawing).  Sometimes, patterns are seen in the lives of those who have gone before us – their examples can be followed and their footsteps retraced.

The Bible works in patterns. We are given the pattern for how to live in our bodies which are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) and the pattern for the church which is the temple of God (Eph 2:21).  The Bible provides the blueprints for churches and Christians alike.

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13)

We must model ourselves after the pattern found in the Scripture because the pattern is clearly expressed by God so that we might behave properly toward Him and our fellow man.  When God gives patterns, they are there for a reason.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Therefore, He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

(Hebrews 7:25)

Who is Jesus able to save?  It would be simple to answer this question with the word ‘everyone’, but inaccurate.  Jesus is not able to save everyone.  Jesus couldn’t save Judas because he wouldn’t draw near.  Jesus couldn’t save Pilate when he failed to recognize Jesus as the King.  Jesus also couldn’t save the religious Pharisees who desired to come to God through their own traditions instead of truth.

This is a shocking revelation by the Holy Spirit, but clearly stated in Hebrews 7.  Three things are required in order for Jesus to be able to save:

1. We must draw near to God
2. We must know who we are drawing near to
3. We must draw near through the means God ordains

Jesus is able to save forever those who seek God and do so through biblical truth, but He cannot save those who refuse to approach God in such a manner.  He is not able to override your freedom to reject Him and His authority.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.”

(Hebrews 7:12)

If you change the rules, by definition, you change the law.  The Old Testament rules were that high priests could only come from the tribe of Levi and the line of Aaron.  Read Matthew chapter one.  Jesus is not a Levite and bears no connection to Aaron.  So, since Jesus became our High Priest, we know we are under a different law.

That detail is important for us today in two ways:

1. You are not bound by any of the Old Testament laws.  We are New Testament Christians, not Old Testament Jews.  This is an important detail that the early Christians spent quite a lot of time confirming.  Read Acts 15 and you will see the debate over how you can’t bind even one Old Testament law upon New Testament Christians.  Be it Sabbath or circumcision, if it isn’t mentioned in the New Testament, it isn’t required.
2. If we expect to enjoy the blessings of the New Testament law, the law of liberty, grace, and mercy… then we better not attempt to change the rules.  We must take seriously the statutes and commandments of the Scriptures if we expect to enjoy the blessings of forgiveness and salvation that they offer.  If it isn’t in the New Testament, we ought to discard it.  If it is in the New Testament, we best preserve it.

His rules, His law, His plan of salvation.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us…”

(Hebrews 6:20a)

Nobody wants to be the one to go first into the unknown tunnel or the dark room.  Being the first one in means you take all the risk – everyone else joins you only once you’ve given them the “All clear!”.

Jesus is the forerunner.  He went first, so we could follow Him who made it all clear.  How do you know what will happen when you die?  The only way to know would be if someone came back from the dead and told you what to expect.

Thank you, Jesus.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.”

(Hebrews 6:19)

An anchor is that which creates a fixed point in a sea of uncertainty.  However, an anchor is only as strong as that which it is affixed to.  Which is why our hope is anchored within the veil – a reference to the Holy of Holies behind the veil of the temple.  Our hope is where God is.

Our anchor is flung out into the deep waters of life and fastened to the Rock of Ages.  Bring the storm.  Our anchor will not move.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish…”

(Hebrews 6:11-12)

Sluggish is quite the picturesque word.  I cannot imagine anyone would like to see themselves compared to a slimy, gelatinous critter that is repulsive to look at and leaves behind a trail of mucus.

I wonder if that is how God views our sluggish faith?  Does it make Him nauseous when we refuse to do what we know we ought? Does it disgust Him when we procrastinate in spiritual service? What about when we allow our lack of zeal to leave a trail of apathy for other Christians to be tainted by?  At least the lowly slug can’t help it!

Be diligent in your faith and run the race – pursue God with diligence and excellence.  Say no to slug-faith.  Set the pace for others and realize the full assurance of hope.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.”

(Hebrews 6:9)

Hebrews is packed with warnings against falling away and returning to old habits of sin and unfaithfulness.

However, the Hebrew writer emphasizes these warnings are not because God believes the worst in us but because He desires and is convinced of better things for us.  We should not confuse God’s warnings in the Scripture as a statement that He believes we are hopeless.  On the contrary, these warnings are reminders of His love and belief that we can grow and flourish in His kingdom.

His hard words come from a place of love and protection – something we should expect from a Father who loves us.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites