Transcript Document

Presentation 21
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
Had some been shaking the confidence of Hebrew Christians
by suggesting that Christianity compared unfavourably with
Judaism because it had no altar [v9]?
The writer’s response in v10 is that ‘we have an altar’- the
cross of Christ. But more than that the Levitical priests were
not allowed to eat their sin offerings, but the Christian
partakes of Christ’s sacrifice which is a true and perfect
sacrifice for sin. The Jews were allowed to eat some of their
sacrifices and it was a literal eating - in contrast, ours is a
spiritual feasting upon Christ. The Christian does what no
Jew ever was allowed to do; he enters right into the life of
the great sacrifice for sin. The sacrament of bread and wine,
speaks of body and blood of the whole life of Jesus.
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
The Jew was expressly forbidden to drink animal bloodfor ‘the life was in the blood’. John Brown comments;
“We are permitted to feast on the whole sacrifice of
Jesus Christ. We not only eat of his flesh but we do
what none of the priests dared do with regard to any of
the sacrifices, we drink his blood. We enjoy the full
measure of benefit which his sacrifice was designed to
secure. We are allowed to feed freely on the highest
and holiest of all sacrifices. Our reconciliation with God
is complete, our fellowship with him intimate and
delightful.”
Note the words of Jesus which proved so abhorrent to
his hearers Jn. 6v52-55...
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
How do we so eat and drink? Jesus has already
answered this question in Jn.6v35 ‘whoever comes to
him will not hunger and whoever believes in him will
not thirst’. So we feast upon Christ by faith! We receive
the benefits of his atoning death ‘by faith’.
Under the Levitical system, on the Day of Atonement
the sin offering, which the High Priest made was
burned OUTSIDE THE CAMP. Those Jews involved were
considered ceremonially unclean, defiled and in need
of cleansing. Our author finds it significant that Jesus
also suffered “outside the gate”. But the place of
defilement, Golgotha, becomes a place of
sanctification.
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
The presence of the Holy One made that which was
unholy holy. On the cross Jesus made his holiness
available to us by bearing our sin. Following Jesus
outside of the camp involves a separation from our
past unregenerate life and a separation to him who
is the object of the world’s abuse.
We cannot be a Christian disciple without identifying
ourselves with Jesus and when we do so we cannot
avoid becoming the objects of the world’s ridicule
and bearing abuse for him. These disciples of Jesus
had found the ridicule of the world uncomfortable
outside of the camp and were poised to creep back
into the world’s camp again.
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
There is a also a sense in which going outside of
the camp would have meant for these readers a
departure from the old Jewish order that they
still found so attractive.
To accept the old Jewish order as provisional and
transitory and as a result cling to the sacrifice of
Christ as the only satisfactory sacrifice for sin was
something many were reluctant to do. The city of
Jerusalem, as a symbol of Judaism, and its
sacrificial system has been rendered obsolete
and would pass away for it is not an ‘enduring
city’. By going out of the camp of Judaism to
Christ and his cross of shame they would be
stepping into a gloriously new and enduring city.
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
They would lose nothing by refusing to participate in
Levitical sacrifices or, Jewish ceremonial meals for
they participated in something much better - the
perfect sacrifice of Christ. The writer indicates the kind
of on-going sacrifices in which they should be involved
- clearly not atoning sacrifices for sin, for Christ’s oncefor-all sacrifice has satisfied God.
What sacrifices can the believer bring? [Cf. 1Pet. 2v5,
‘spiritual sacrifices’]. The first sacrifice described by
the author is the ‘sacrifice of praise’. Not just singing
hymns - the sacrifice of praise affects our whole being
and unlike O.T. sacrifices it is something we should be
offering to God continually.
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
Thank offerings in the O.T. testament were
associated with particular seasons and with the
presentation of foods to God but not so now! Cf.
Ps. 50v23... Sanctimonious participation in
outward forms of worship is to be replaced by a
life lived totally to God’s praise.
The sacrifice God looks for in our lives also
involves a compassionate concern for others cf.
Mic.6v7ff also Gal. 6v9ff. Sharing sacrificially to
help others in material need was in evidence in
the early church [Acts 4v34] with such sacrifices
God is well pleased!
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
In v17 the readers are exhorted to obey their
leaders [cf. v7]. From this it would appear that
the writer is clearly confident about the quality
of leadership within the fellowship.
Good and successful leadership is to a
considerable degree dependent upon the willing
response of those who have been placed under
its authority and in the readiness to follow the
lead given. There is an important distinction to
be made between authoritarianism and
authority, the later crushes the development of
both gift and Christian character.
Two reasons are given to encourage obedience:
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Identification With Jesus
First, these leaders are in turn accountable to God for
their work, ‘they keep watch over you as those who
must give an account.’ cf. James 3v1, ‘Not many of you
should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because
you know that we who teach will be judged more
strictly’. Leaders will be encouraged in their work and
in the faithful exercise of their office by the willing
response of their people.
Secondly, obedient response to ministry brings joy to
the heart of the one who ministers, it makes ministry a
pleasure. cf Rom. 16v19, Phil. 2v2, 4v1, 1Thes. 2v19.
Disobedience makes the work of the preacher a
burden and has adverse effects upon the disobedient ‘it is no advantage to you’. Ezekiel 3v16-21... 3 Jn.v4...
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
In v18 the author refers to himself for the first time.
He requests prayer. What does this tells us about the
writer? The humility of the man is quite staggering. He
asks prayer of a people who were poised to turn their
back on Jesus! Can you think of how this request
could have had a positive effect? [cf Jn. 4v7, Col.4v3,
1 Thes. 5v25, 2 Thes. 3v1.] He had confidence in them
and in their response to all he had written. Are we
reluctant to ask others to pray for us? If so why?
Why do you think the writer speaks of having a clear
conscience? He had spoken frankly of the perils of
their spiritual condition but it was out of a genuine
friendship towards them.
Presentation 21
Identification With Jesus
The writer is also sure that his own conduct
can stand up to the scrutiny of man and God.
The bonds of affection that he has for his
readership are very deep. He would be
heart-broken were they to apostatise. The
very fact that all of his exhortations spring
from a heart of love is evidenced not only by
his request that they pray for him v19 but
also in his longing to be reunited with them.
Had he once been one of the leaders of this
church fellowship? Had he founded this
church? If so then he clearly has not lost
interest in them.
Presentation 21
Benediction
This benediction recapitulates the message of the
epistle. God is described as the God of peace because
the resurrection of Jesus is the proof both of our
reconciliation and the all-sufficiency of his sacrifice. Cf.
Col.1v20, Eph. 2v13-14. Israel had been led by other
shepherds [e.g. Moses] but only by heeding the voice
of the Great Shepherd could they experience peace.
The Bible records a number of covenants that God
made with his people. These covenants were
constantly being updated and replaced or amplified,
e.g. the Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and
Davidic covenants. But now, in Christ, we have an
everlasting covenant.
Presentation 21
Benediction
All the other covenants find their fulfilment in this
covenant, which will never be superseded. Jesus by
his death has perfected for all time those who are
sanctified.
Jesus is described here as the Great Shepherd of
the sheep. The writer’s own concern, and the
concern of other church leaders are but the
concerns of under-shepherds and pale into
insignificance when laid alongside the concern of
Christ for the flock and his determination to
preserve it. The Christian is far safer in Christ than
Adam was in the garden of Eden before the fall.
What a thought!
Presentation 21
Benediction
All that they require in order to do God’s will and
to please him, he has provided v21. Cf. Phil. 2v13.
This enabling grace and glorious provision comes
by virtue of the believer’s union with Jesus. The
pleasure which we bring to God is the pleasure
which he enables us to bring thus taking a great
deal of the strain out of Christian living.
In v22 the readers are urged to receive his
exhortation. He has wounded them with the Word
and awaits their response. An old English divine
described Christians as either vines or nettles. The
vine responds to vigorous pruning by bearing fruit.
In contrast, even gentle contact with a nettle
results in a sting. Are we nettles or vines?
Presentation 21
Benediction
In v23 we are told of Timothy’s release.
Imprisonment for one’s faith was commonplace in
the early church. Note the absence of drama; the
release is reported in a matter-of-fact fashion.
Greetings are sent to leaders and people alike and
this besieged group of Christians are assured of the
concern of the wider church
The word “grace” used to conclude the epistle sums
up all the blessings of the new covenant, “It is a
stream of living water flowing through the desert, a
power which enables us to withstand every
adversity and to reach the promised land, the place
of rest the heavenly Jerusalem.” Spicq
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