11/07/2018
*The Superiority of Jesus Christ & Our Faith in Him*
In the next few weeks, we will be focussing on Hebrews 11 - commonly known as the "faith chapter." The people listed in this chapter preceded Jesus Christ. Their faith in God and His promises is commended and they represent witnesses that saints this side of the cross can learn from as we await Christ's second coming.
In the first ten chapters, the writer of Hebrews argues that Jesus is greater in who He is and what He has done. Hence, the writer is calling the reader to place our faith in Jesus - for He is greater.
- In chapters 1-2, Jesus is greater than the angels for He is the Son of God (both divine and human).
- In chapter 3, Jesus is greater than Moses. Moses could lead God's people out of slavery; but he could not take them into the promised land. Jesus is greater than Moses because He is able to lead God's people out of the slavery of sin and take us into the promised land.
- In chapter 4, Jesus is greater than Joshua. Joshua could take over from Moses and lead God's people into the promised land. However, he was unable to give them rest. Jesus is greater because He is able to lead God's people into the promised land and give us rest.
- In chapters 4:14-8:13, Jesus is greater than the Jewish high priests. This is so due to the fact that "... the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises" (8:6).
- In chapters 9-10, Jesus' blood-sacrifice is greater than the Old Testament sacrifices for His blood was shed once-and-for-all.
In 10:19ff., the special ingredients mentioned in the gospel (found in many of Paul's writings), is also mentioned here: *faith, hope and love.* However, the writer focusses on the ingredient of *faith* in chapter 11. He provides a list of Old Testament people that demonstrated great faith in God, while awaiting the perfection that was going to come through Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 10:39, we read, "But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved." He thereafter defines what faith is: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (11:1). In 11:6, he states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." in these verses, the importance and necessity of faith for the Christian is highlighted.
As we will journey through the faith-stories of these Old Testament characters over next few weeks, may our faith grow as we await the return of Christ.
Praying for you. God bless.
