EPISODE 632 – THE 5 BETTER NOTS 9 (Gleanings From the Book of Hebrews)

THE 5 BETTER NOTS 9

(Gleanings From the Book of Hebrews)

“He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” 

Hebrews 10:28-29 (KJV)

DON’T DESPISE THE WORD OF GOD.

This epistle of Hebrews was written to both Jewish believers in Christ to strengthen their faith and to Jews who have not believed in Jesus to help them see Christ as God’s final message and His death as God’s ultimate sacrifice.

The author skillfully used the Jewish understanding of animal sacrifices, offerings, the various Priesthoods, their Patriarchs, the Tabernacle and its items, including the law, to help them understand Christ as the expression of God’s perfection.

As we have seen in the previous episodes of this discussion, the author began this epistle with no ambiguity. He directly established the reality that Christ is:

– God’s final message (See Hebrews 1:1-2).

– Superior and better than the Prophets (Hebrews 1:1-2), angels (Hebrews 1:4 — 2:18), Moses (Hebrews 3:1-19), Joshua (Hebrews 4:1-16) Aaron (Hebrews 5:1-10)

There are many more of Christ’s Superiority addressed in this book of Hebrews.

This is the simple message of the author of Hebrews to the Jews (and all who may read this epistle) in the opening verse:

Because you esteemed Moses, you were afraid to despise his words and the laws given through him. The punishment that came with disobeying and despising the laws of Moses was severe, thus, people were careful not to despise Moses.

Under the Old Covenant, it was not possible for people to despise the need for the various daily, weekly, monthly and yearly offerings and sacrifices.

People kept the commandments of the Lord given through Moses because it was the only way they could live and enjoy the Lord’s blessings.

Now the Lord Jesus is superior to Moses. His principles and perfection are better.

The sacrifice of Himself on the cross is superior, and better and ultimately surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old. None of the animal sacrifices produced eternal life.

Therefore, if despising the Word of the Lord given through Moses will cause you severely, much more when you despise the perfect Word of the Lord unveiled through Christ.

The Word of the Lord unveiled through Christ is the Gospel of Jesus. It is also the Gospel of Grace.

To despise the gospel of Jesus is to despise or insult the Spirit of Grace (this is explained further in the Bible Compendium, PHOTIZO, which will be launched in a few months).

To despise the work of Christ on the cross is to reject the eternal salvation which is made available to all who believe and receive Jesus.

At every point in your life, you must continue to focus on Jesus and esteem His Glorious testimony of Grace.

Within this age, many teachings are focused on esteeming the self-efforts of humanity and works of the flesh, rather than the finished work of Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection.

There are many religious groups which make people undermine or despise the death of Jesus for mankind. They ask themselves “How can one man come and die for all humanity”?