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As we are walking and praying our way towards Easter, we launch into a new series this week: Jesus, the Radiance of God’s Glory.  Our Scripture passages each week will come from the Book of Hebrews.  There is hardly time enough to drill deeply into the rich mine that is this somewhat strange and possibly unfamiliar book, so we will be concentrating on chapters 1, 2, 10 and 12.

Perhaps a brief introduction and overview to Hebrews will be of help.  We can begin with some don’t-knows: we do not know who wrote this book, what prompted its writing, or the audience to whom it was addressed.  We’re not sure when it was written, although most scholars would place its composition late in the second half of the first century.

And we certainly have some do-knows: if you dip into Hebrews, you will quickly see that the Old Testament is essential to our Christian faith and understanding.  To read Hebrews is to be plunged into the world of priesthood and sacrifice, the world of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Psalms, Isaiah and Jeremiah.  We encounter Moses and the mysterious Melchizedek, Aaron and Joshua and the “heroes of the faith” recounted in chapter 11.

But primarily, we meet Jesus.  This book was likely written to and for a primarily Jewish audience, but it is about Jesus.  Those parts of the Old Testament we tend to skip: they’re speaking to us of Christ.  The parts we find obscure or confusing: they are speaking to us of Christ.  The Law was given to lead us to Christ.  The elaborate sacrificial system portrays and prefigures the One who will bring to an end all sacrificial systems.  The prophets spoke to their times and circumstances, but ultimately what they spoke of was Christ.

Hebrews brings us face to face with the One who is greater than the prophets, than angels, than Moses or Joshua or even Father Abraham; greater than the high priest, the tabernacle, the Temple, greater than any and every kind of sacrifice.

And because of this Jesus, Hebrews is the book of better: “better” (or “superior”) is used more times in Hebrews than the rest of the New Testament combined.  Hebrews speaks to us of better things, a better blessing, a better hope, a better covenant, better promises, a better sacrifice (because it is, in another favorite word in Hebrews, the once-for-all sacrifice of the Son of God by the Son of God).  Hebrews promises us a better country, better “possessions,” a better resurrection, even a better “something” (see 11:40).  All of this “better-ness” is in Christ, through Christ, because of Christ.

And Hebrews is a book of admonition.  Half a dozen times we will be admonished to “see to it.”  More than a dozen times we will hear the summons, “Let us…”  Let us be careful, let us hold firmly to the faith, let us draw near to God, let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

God has spoken, once, for all, and the Word he speaks to us and to the world is Jesus the Messiah.  God has spoken, to disclose himself to us and to invite us into God’s life, and what he says is Jesus: “Behold, this is my Son, the Beloved: listen to him!”

What caught your attention as you read or listened to this brief over view of Hebrews—was there a word or phrase that “jumped out” to you in some way?  Take a moment to bring this into God’s presence, and ask the Spirit to give you further understanding of what he has just brought to your attention.

What could change about Chatham Community Church as we all got to know and love Jesus more deeply?  Take some time now to pray these things “into” the life and work of our church.

As we walk and pray our way together towards Easter, how would you like to pray for yourself?  And for all of us together?  Please pray about these things now.