God Sees and Understands

While hiking on a trail in the Smoky Mountains, my husband and I needed to make a decision. The sign had said the trail was only a few miles—but it didn’t say we were headed uphill through rough terrain. Hot and weary, we considered going back, but once we realized how far we had already come, we rallied and kept hiking to the trail’s end.

The book of Hebrews was written to weary people who were encountering difficulties as they followed the way of Christ. While we don’t know the identity of the writer of Hebrews, he or she is clearly someone who knew and understood God’s Word. This author is encouraging Hebrew (or Jewish) Christians who are discouraged by the persecution they are facing as believers. They are tempted to return to their old way of life, but this would be a terrible mistake. Point by point, the author of Hebrews shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. When God was revealing Himself to the Jewish people throughout the Old Testament, everything was leading up to Jesus.

The book of Hebrews shows us that Jesus is greater than anything or anyone. He is greater the angels (chapter 1). He is greater than Moses, who was a faithful servant—but Jesus is faithful as God’s Son (chapter 3). Jesus is greater than the Old Testament priests (chapter 5) and the sacrifices they offered for sin, because Jesus offered His own blood as the very last sacrifice and obtained “eternal redemption†(chapter 9, verse 12) for His people.

Because Jesus is greater than all these, the writer of Hebrews calls on believers to persevere and continue to walk in faith. Chapter 11 gives examples of Old Testament believers who did just that. People like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, and others are listed as heroes of the faith who persevered during difficult days, even though they did not experience the fulfillment of God’s promises in their lifetimes (verses 13, 39). Hebrews calls us to do the same—to persevere, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith†(chapter 12, verse 2). • Laura N. Sweet

• Do you ever get discouraged about following Jesus? Ever think about turning back? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with when you feel this way?

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Read Verses:

2Cor.1.3-2Cor.1.5|Ps.147.3