Ascent—Week 9

Hebrews 3:1-6

        And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are bound for heaven, think about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s Messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully and was entrusted with God’s entire house. But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a fine house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but God is the one who made everything.

        Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house, but only as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. But Christ, the faithful Son, was in charge of the entire household. And we are God’s household if we keep up our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

Ascent—Week 8

Hebrews 2:5-18

        “And furthermore, the future world we are talking about will not be controlled by angels. For somewhere in the Scriptures it says, “What is man that you should think of him, and the son of man that you should care for him? For a little while you made him lower than the angels, and you crowed him with glory and honor. You gave him authority over all things.” Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all of this happen. What we do see is Jesus, who “for a little while was made lower than the angels” and now is “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death for us. Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world. And it was only right that God—who made everything and for whom everything was made—should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation.

        “So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God, “I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among all your people.” He also said, “I will put my trust in him.” And in the same context he said, “Here I am—together with the children God has given me.”

        Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

        We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, no to help the angels. Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself had gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.

Think about that today! And God bless you!

Ascent—Week 7

Hebrews 2:1-4

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

Think about that today! And God bless you!

Ascent-Week 6

Hebrews 1:1-4

        In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Amen! We’ll see you on Sunday!