44 Days Through the New Testament – Day 35

Hebrews 1-3

Ever since I put my faith in Christ alone for salvation, I have had (I believe) a firm grasp of the diety of Christ. I have not struggled to think of Jesus as fully God. My struggle has always leaned towards understanding the humanity of Christ.

The writer of Hebrews makes the humanity of Christ plain.

…[Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17, ESV

Jesus was made like us in every way. If He had not limited His earthly power to only that available to the rest of us, then He could not be a perfect sacrifice on our behalf. But He was made like us in every way! He was just as human as any one of us!

What comfort there is in knowing that Jesus, our faithful high priest, truly knows and understands what we are going through.

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:18, ESV

Hebrews 4-6

There is a phrase that was repeated a couple of times in Hebrews 3 and then once again in Hebrews 4.

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Hebrews 4:7b, ESV

The author is obviously concerned with the reader of Hebrews “hardening their hearts” to the truth of God as it has been revealed throughout time, culminating in the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The reality of what God has done (and is doing still) should awaken our hearts! We should be amazed! We should be in awe! We should not harden our hearts to this incredible gift of grace through Christ.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14–16, ESV