What We Know

For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. [Hebrews 9.24-26]

The writer of Hebrews, in today's OYCB reading, displays what is undoubtedly an extensive knowledge of Old Testament information. Although many believe the apostle Paul penned Hebrews, there exist certain nuances in the construct of the letter that might suggest otherwise.

Regardless whose hand penned the words, I believe the book of Hebrews serves as a standard for modern believers by which to measure their own understanding of all things "Old Testament" as they pertain to Jesus Christ. For most, sadly, much of what is discussed in Hebrews is foreign and confusing. While it is easy to appreciate the accomplishments of Jesus addressed therein, the comparisons to Old Testament facts leave most readers blindly accepting what is stated without any basis for personal confirmation of those facts. In short, many of us (far too many) are just plain ignorant of the Old Testament.

For the reasons stated above, the book of Hebrews, more so (I believe) than many of the other books of the Bible, will convey a deeper understanding of Christ in direct proportion to one's understanding of the Old Testament. The more one knows and understands the Old Testament, the more one will understand the New Testament (Covenant) in Jesus Christ.

But also, the writer of Hebrews attests to the writing's usefulness to measure progressive knowledge:

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. [Hebrews 1.1-2]

And furthermore:

There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. [Hebrews 5.11-14]

And then:

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. [Hebrews 6.1-3]

It is as if the book of Hebrews is not so much an information source as much as it is an information gauge to measure the knowledge base of the reader. The fact that I personally have never seen this before encourages me that perhaps, as I have methodically read the entire Bible every year for many years now, that just maybe there is some growth! 

So... what does this discussion so far have to do with the subject passage above? For me today, it brings to light the fact that all the Old Testament Tabernacle/Temple worship of God (as religious and deeply spiritual as we deem it), is merely a copy of what things are really like in heaven.

And yet, I still "choke" on the copy! I find myself compelled then (with encouragement from my "baby steps" of understanding) to study and retain even more knowledge of the copy so that I might better understand and appreciate the real thing! If we can see it, Jesus said it best:

You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]

As we grow in our knowledge of the Bible, God's intent is that we become increasingly better acquainted with Jesus. The book of Hebrews gives us the opportunity to see how we are coming along in that endeavor. Hebrews helps us see "what we know" (or, what we don't know).

How cool is that?

Father, thank You for encouraging me to learn more of Jesus. Thank You for the book of Hebrews that gives me the standard to monitor my growth and understanding of Him.