By T. W. Parker

Introduction:

The letter to the Hebrews was written to encourage Christians during trials. It does so by focusing on the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. While God spoke in the past “many times and in many ways,” he has now spoken to us “through his Son,” Jesus Christ, who is the “exact imprint” of God’s nature and who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (1:1–3, ESV). Jesus accomplished complete salvation for all who trust in him (1:1–10:18). We dare not “neglect such a great salvation” (2:3; 5:12–6:20; 10:19–39). Instead, in our faith and everyday living, we should imitate the example of Christ and those on the honor roll of faith (chs. 11–13). This letter, whose author is unknown, was probably written between A.D. 60 and 70.

Beginning with Chapter 12, the people of Faith were surveyed in Chapter 11. In a play on the Greek word for “witness,” meaning “commended” by God in 11:2,4 (“spoke well” of), 5,39, this now sees these people as testifying as to or commending to us the life of Faith. Their examples urge us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (12:1). Faith and endurance or perseverance are closely related traits that God’s people must maintain even in temptation and adversity (3:6,12-14, 19, 4:1-3, 11, 14, 10:23, 35-39). Also, the athletic imagery lends itself to the call to set aside anything that “entangles” or “hinders” us from enduring.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate “witness” to spur us to Faith and endurance. He is the object and model of Faith for Christians. We must “consider Him” (12:3). His sacrifice for us is essential concerning our salvation. By Jesus saving work, He initiated and completed this pathway of Faith for us (10:14, 11:40). The crucifixion was a humiliating form of execution (6:6, 10:29, 13:12-13, Phil. 2:8-9, Isa. 53:8-12). Still, Jesus disregarded this in doing the will of the Father. Therefore, God exalted Jesus after His humiliation (Phil. 2:8-9)—the final of five allusions to (Ps. 110:1 in Hebrews).

Reflecting on Jesus’ example shows the value of endurance. The Faithful are not exempt from opposition in this world (John 15:18-20, Acts 14:22, 1 Peter 2:21), but Faithful suffering is the pathway to glory and blessing. Weakness and discouragement in our adversities (12:4) are what we must guard against (6:11-12, Gal. 6:9, Rev. 2:3). Moreover, our adversities, while difficult (Vs. 12), are minimal compared to what Jesus endured. The original readers of this letter had suffered ostracism, seizure of property, and imprisonment (10:32-34) but not physical injury or death.

However, according to Scripture, the martyrdom of believers will occur during the “Great Tribulation” (Rev. 6:9-11). Also, (Rev. 20:4) explains that true believers will refuse the mark, and many will be executed. Those who have been left beyond the “mark of the beast” will be forced on them, or they will be killed if they reject it (Rev. 13:15). The “mark” is a sign of opposition to the seal of God’s name. Further, the “mark” is a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit and is an unforgivable sin if taken (Rev. 14:9-11).

The central theme of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ, as God’s holy Son and high priest, is God’s final revelation. He provides complete cleansing from sin and open access to God. The reality that the (OT) anticipated but was never meant to accomplish. This view of the exalted Christ is the focal point at which the major theological themes of Hebrews converge: its teachings on who Christ is, all that He has accomplished for human salvation, and how God’s prior revelation to Israel and His restoration of all things will be fulfilled through Christ. Based on these themes, the central argument of Hebrews is that Christians can and must hold firmly to their Faith in Christ’s high priestly work despite adversity.