Good Morning!
Hebrews 3:1-6, the focal text for this week, encourages the reader as a believer in Christ to consider Jesus, the high priest and apostle of their confession, because he was faithful to God who appointed him. The reason for this consideration is found in the first two chapters of Hebrews but culminates in Hebrews 2:14-18.
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Jesus became human to help us, the children of God, the brothers {and sisters} who share in the heavenly calling. Using the Hebrews’ history with God throughout the letter as an example, the author in Hebrews instructs the reader to view all that Jesus has done and in light of it, to hold firm to their courage and hope. {3:1,2,6}
Our lesson lead us to do the same. We were to ‘Consider Jesus’ by compiling a list of our thoughts about him. For example, when I thought about Jesus, I recorded that he forgave my sins, he endured the cross on my behalf, and that he intercedes for me. I found when I made this list that I was strengthened in my faith. How about you?
Hebrews 3:3-6 continues with a series of points contrasting Moses and Jesus. The Hebrews viewed Moses as the lawgiver though he was more of a law receiver. He was the man who led them out of Egypt and through the Wilderness for forty years. Moses was their hero and the man who the Hebrews looked to for leadership, guidance, justice, help, both physically and spiritually, and to whom they often brought their complaints. Moses was a man of distinction and the person they placed on a pedestal. During this week, we considered the spiritual leaders we have placed on a pedestal. We were to ponder the differences between admiration and worship. We were to question whether we have used these leaders who have had great influence in our lives as a substitute for Jesus or God, the Father.
Ms. Harper suggested that the author of Hebrews was correcting the readers’ misunderstanding about Moses. One of the ways that we are corrected by God is through His word. We questioned ourselves this week about times when others have corrected us or when we might have been the correctors. We considered the words and attitudes that make us more willing to accept correction and those that don’t. We also thought of ways people have been model correctors in our lives pointing us towards a more intimate walk with Jesus with love and affirmation.
The end of our lesson this week focused on difficult times in our lives when God seemed less than fair in His treatment of us or of others for whom we care. We reflected on the reasons when times are difficult we turn to God and on the reasons, when times are good we are less likely to seek Him. We also considered how we sometimes lose a heavenly perspective when we encounter these difficulties in our lives and how Jesus is the one hero we can trust.
Questions to Consider:
- Why do I seek out people and other things to fix my problems instead of taking them to Jesus?
- Why do I look to an imperfect hero instead of to Jesus, the perfect hero in my difficult situation?
- Has God shown Himself to be reliable and trustworthy through a difficult season in my life? If not, why do I think He kept me there rather than rescuing me from it?
- What are some ways that I consider Jesus to be a hero?
- Who has modeled for me how to correct with love and affirmation?
Begin the Week 3 session this week. Our text will be Hebrews 4:14-5:10.
Blessings,
Mimi
