Hebrews Series

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

~ Hebrews 1:1–4

In the spring of 2025, we will begin working our way through the book of Hebrews. This apostolic letter gives us a template for interpreting all of Scripture, placing the focus squarely on the person and superiority of Jesus Christ. One of the ways in which Hebrews does this is by engaging with the nature of sacrifice. Given that Christians do not observe the sacrifices described in Leviticus, how are we to understand their relationship to Jesus? While teaching on the book of Hebrews, New England theologian Jonathan Edwards observed: “There always from the very first was such a thing as sacrificing in the world.” He then elaborates on the theme of sacrifice in Hebrews: “Then came the Great Sacrifice himself into the world, the end and antitype of all these things, who was the true sacrifice.” We can observe further that Hebrews explicitly teaches that Christ is the true high priest, the true sacrifice, and the true king, all of which are implied and demonstrated in the Gospels.

Through a series of warnings, exhortations, and encouragements, Hebrews becomes a practical guide for our devotion to God. Hebrews addresses the object of our worship, the seriousness of our sin, the greatness of God’s mercy, and our mutual love and encouragement as the church. It is written with an intense and heartfelt tone, for the stakes could not be higher: apart from Jesus, we can expect only a terrifying judgment. With Jesus, we have “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). Indeed, the mercy of Christ, our high priest, is paramount for “Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).