Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.1-3 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.
…the good things that are coming…God has good things in store for us and the law was just a shadow of what God is planning – complete salvation, wholeness, new bodies, no more suffering etc.
v.1-3 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.
…the good things that are coming…God has good things in store for us and the law was just a shadow of what God is planning – complete salvation, wholeness, new bodies, no more suffering etc.
v.2-3 For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.
The Israelites still felt guilty after the sacrifices had been made. In fact the sacrifices only reminded them of their sins. They never felt the freedom from sin’s guilt that we experience.
v.2-3 For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.
The Israelites still felt guilty after the sacrifices had been made. In fact the sacrifices only reminded them of their sins. They never felt the freedom from sin’s guilt that we experience.
v.11-12 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
The priests stand to perform their religious duties “again and again” but when Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins he sat down because the job was finished, completely completed. Therefore we are free from guilt and made holy (v.10); we can now enter God’s presence (v.19); and this fulfils what the prophets foretold (v.16-17).
v.11-12 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
The priests stand to perform their religious duties “again and again” but when Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins he sat down because the job was finished, completely completed. Therefore we are free from guilt and made holy (v.10); we can now enter God’s presence (v.19); and this fulfils what the prophets foretold (v.16-17).
v. 13-14 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Jesus’ waits for his enemies to be made his footstool because the kingdom has not fully come. God’s enemies are not yet Jesus’ footstool.
Yet the work of salvation is completed and we have been made perfect forever. Believers are those who are being made holy and yet we have also been made perfect forever.
The "now" and the "not yet" aspects of the kingdom.
v. 13-14 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Jesus’ waits for his enemies to be made his footstool because the kingdom has not fully come. God’s enemies are not yet Jesus’ footstool.
Yet the work of salvation is completed and we have been made perfect forever. Believers are those who are being made holy and yet we have also been made perfect forever.
The "now" and the "not yet" aspects of the kingdom.
v.18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
No need for any more sacrifices for sin, we have forgiveness.
v.18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
No need for any more sacrifices for sin, we have forgiveness.
v.32-35 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering…You suffered along with those in prison…So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Surprising that these people preserved during the tough times but now they were endanger of drifting away (2:1) when things got easier. I guess their focus shifted from endurance to maintenance. The writer tells them to remember and exhorts them to continue because of future rewards.
v.32-35 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering…You suffered along with those in prison…So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Surprising that these people preserved during the tough times but now they were endanger of drifting away (2:1) when things got easier. I guess their focus shifted from endurance to maintenance. The writer tells them to remember and exhorts them to continue because of future rewards.
v.25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
By regularly attending church we are reminded of what we believe sometimes just by each other’s presence.
v.25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
By regularly attending church we are reminded of what we believe sometimes just by each other’s presence.