Training for the Promise

When you feel like giving up, where do you look for inspiration to persevere? The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians by an unknown author. The audience was struggling to keep their faith amidst persecution, and some of them thought that the laws and sacrifices of their old faith were easier than following Jesus. Hebrews reminds readers that Jesus is greater than anything else and encourages us to persevere, because following Jesus is worth it.

The writer starts by reminding us that Jesus is greater than anything else, comparing and contrasting Him to the Old Testament laws and sacrifices. The sacrifices covered the sins of the people and allowed them to enter God’s presence, and the laws taught the people how to live in God’s good ways. But no one could follow the law perfectly; it only revealed our sinfulness. The sacrifices covered sins temporarily but couldn’t take sin away permanently.

Jesus, on the other hand, is greater than the temple and the Old Testament law (Hebrews 9). He followed the law perfectly, and He died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice to wash away our sins. Since Jesus rose again to life, His sacrifice is for everyone who puts their trust in Him, allowing us to be with God forever!

The author of Hebrews then lists many Old Testament heroes of faith (Hebrews 11). These people were sinful like us, but they trusted God and persevered even when it was hard and even when they didn’t understand God’s plan.

Hebrews concludes with a call for us to persevere. None of these heroes saw God’s promise of salvation fulfilled, but we live knowing that Jesus has gained the victory! Therefore, we can persevere by keeping our focus on Jesus.

No matter what struggles you’re facing, God is faithful. His promises are unshakable (Hebrews 12:28). He is greater than our problems, and He is with us in the midst of our struggles through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people. Jesus is greater than anything. • Abby Ciona

• If you know Jesus, His sacrifice is enough to cover all your sins—permanently. He has made you holy in God’s eyes. How is His sacrifice greater than the sacrifices in the Old Testament?

• What makes it possible for us to persevere in our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)?

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

Read Verses:

Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-10; 2 Peter 1:5-11