Remaining Steadfast In God

“For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end. As it says, “Oh , that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For which ones heard and rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership? And against whom was God provoked for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear they would never enter into his rest, except those who were disobedient? So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:14-19 NET

Have we merely become partners with Christ, or have we been given something greater? The original audience of Hebrews was Jewish and deeply understood the references being made. The writer skillfully tailors the message to resonate with them. In reality, we are far more than partners; we are sons and daughters, heirs to the incredible work of Christ on earth. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are restored to the pure state that existed in Eden. The writer introduces the concept of partnership to draw them in, but he also recognizes the importance of explaining the reasons behind their ancestors' rebellion after their liberation from Egypt. This context sets the stage for a more profound understanding of our relationship with Christ.

Throughout history, we see that as the children of Israel left Egypt under Moses’ leadership, he powerfully illustrated that the God of Israel far surpasses the Egyptian gods through miraculous signs and devastating plagues. Each plague carefully dismantled the authority of a specific Egyptian deity, showcasing the supremacy of Israel’s God. At the same time, these miracles signified God's profound love for His people, affirming His desire to be their God.

What remains crucial in this journey is the call for believing loyalty in God. This timeless demand has persisted from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The writer compellingly urges us to hold firmly to our initial confidence until the very end. But what does this “end” imply? Is it referring to our individual deaths or is it referring to the ultimate conclusion of time? Given that Chapter One indicates we are living in the last days, I strongly lean towards the latter interpretation.

One powerful message the writer conveys is that God’s liberation of Israel from bondage was rooted in His deep love for them, not in their own strong faith. In truth, their faith was weak, as expressed in the writer’s sorrowful plea, “Oh, that you would turn to Him as He speaks.” This reference to their stubbornness and rebellion illustrates that they followed Moses primarily for personal gain rather than out of heartfelt devotion to God. The writer implores, “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” reminding them that God’s love has been richly poured into their hearts through the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Furthermore, through the prophet Ezekiel, God promises us that by His love, “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26, NET). This transformation is entirely God’s work, requiring nothing from His people except belief. God will handle the rest. This compelling promise when embraced reinforces the urgent appeal: “So do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Was it not those who left Egypt? When we focus on God’s benefits instead of being motivated by His unconditional love, we risk losing sight of His true character. God embodies love that is complete, without judgment or punishment.

In the desert, the children of Israel provoked God through their unbelief and lack of loyalty to His promises. They wandered for forty years, not because of punishment, but because God continually provided opportunities for them to reflect and deepen their faith. Yet, they chose to complain and doubt instead.

God longs for His people to experience His rest, which is a call to align with His purpose and become part of His divine family. Unfortunately, the children of Israel resisted this invitation. They grumbled incessantly about the manna provided in the desert, and when they craved meat, even after being given quail to satisfy their desires, they continued to voice their discontent. This persistent dissatisfaction revealed a deeper struggle; they seemed to lack purpose and hope amidst their circumstances. As a result, God declared that they would not enter His rest, meaning an entire generation would forfeit the chance to enter into and experience the Promised Land. This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's gifts and His desire for us to thrive in His presence.

God’s rest isn't simply about idleness while God takes charge; rather, it's about fully trusting in His divine plan for our lives. We actively engage, but we must also be attuned to His voice as He works through our willingness to obey Him. This understanding helps us realize that every event contributes to our greater good, turning each moment into an opportunity to deepen our trust in Him. By believing in and remaining loyal to His intentions for our lives, we embark on a journey that enriches our relationship with Him, strengthens our faith, and in turn, gives us great joy.

In conclusion, while many distractions can draw us away from our trust in God, the most critical of these is unbelief. This doubt becomes the root cause of much disobedience depicted in the Bible, as all sin ultimately stems from unbelief. When we permit unbelief to creep into our minds, we effectively give room to the Satan's manipulations.

To remain steadfast in our faith, we must be vigilant and place our complete trust in God during every circumstance. This requires us to prioritize Him and understand that His purpose for our lives vastly surpasses our personal desires. By trusting Him, we lay a strong foundation that the enemy cannot shake. Unlike the Satan (or accuser), who offers only empty promises, God is actively shaping our character and forming us into true men and women of faith, demonstrating believing loyalty in our loving Creator.

Stephen Barnett

The Hazards Of Not Hearing God's Voice

“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness. “There your fathers tested me and tried me, and they saw my works for forty years. “Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, ‘Their hearts are always wandering and they have not known my ways.’ “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception.” Hebrews 3:7-13 NET

The repeated use of the word "therefore" in these passages draws a compelling comparison to the ancient Children of Israel and us. We must ask ourselves why the Holy Spirit would highlight their rebellion against God in relation to our own lives. What deeper truths is the Holy Spirit trying to uncover about our character? To grasp this, it is essential that we delve into the hearts of the early followers of God, revealing why they so often strayed from God. Understanding their struggles can shed light on our own walk with the Lord.

The children of Israel were a people in bondage in Egypt, suffering under Pharaoh's rule. But we must consider: Why were they enslaved when just a few generations earlier, an Israelite named Joseph stood as second-in-command to Pharaoh? It is hard to fathom that a man of such remarkable wisdom, who had saved Pharaoh and the entire nation from famine by implementing a plan to store resources in granaries, could be so easily forgotten. How could a figure of his greatness slip from the collective memory of the Egyptians? Understanding this disconnect is crucial to grasping the plight of the Israelites and the lessons that follow.

The story of Joseph's rise to power is not just a tale of personal triumph; it serves as a powerful reflection of the moral struggles within the children of Israel. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, finds himself the target of jealousy from his older brothers, who go so far as to attempt to kill him by throwing him down a well. This narrative uncovers a deeper truth about human nature—selfishness often prevails, as seen in the children of Israel who, like many today, live by the mantra of looking out for "number one."

While it might be easy to blame Jacob for not instilling better values in his children, it’s crucial to recognize that he, too, was flawed. As a deceiver, Jacob stole the blessing from his brother Esau, who recklessly traded his birthright for a momentary meal, failing to see the immense value of God's promises. These stories highlight the importance of nurturing moral excellence—a lesson that remains relevant and should inspire us all to rise above our base instincts.

What distinguishes Joseph from his brothers is his unwavering commitment to pursuing God and His divine plan for his life. Even as he languished in prison for a crime he did not commit, Joseph held onto his faith, grappling with the uncertainty of how he would ever gain his freedom. He faced mistreatment, misunderstanding, and a sense of being forgotten, yet his trust in God never wavered. After enduring many years of captivity, God exalted Joseph, affirming the importance of remaining faithful.

Joseph's life story is a profound reflection of the Messiah Jesus, yet his brothers failed to grasp this truth. They overlooked the sovereign hand of God orchestrating events in Joseph's life, all the while they reaped the benefits of his blessings. This narrative is one that should have been shared across generations, serving as a powerful reminder that God is the ultimate source of all blessings in every situation. Sadly, after many generations, Joseph's legacy was lost among the Israelites and the Egyptians, and this vital lesson was forgotten.

This brings us to the central issue: Why did the children of Israel wander in the desert for forty years? Their wandering wasn't due to a lack of direction; instead, God wanted them to follow Him without grumbling. He desired to be their everything during their time of testing in the wilderness, yet they rejected His grace. Instead of embracing the new possibilities, the children of Israel clung to their familiar past, even if it meant living in slavery in Egypt. This is reminiscent of what we now call Stockholm Syndrome, where comfort in what is known outweighs the fear of the unknown.

The book of Hebrews powerfully teaches us the importance of trusting God by faith. Our faith is anchored not in the unknown but in the solid promises of God. We never follow blindly without a sense of hope; we choose to follow God because we are confident in His role as our protector, provider, and steadfast friend, regardless of what life brings. Romans 8:28 reinforces this truth: “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” This passage reminds us that nothing can hold us back from discovering God's purpose in every moment of our lives, empowering us to embrace each day with optimism and purpose.

We are called to uplift one another daily, seizing the present moment to fortify our faith in God. Each of us faces the temptation to fall back on our base instincts, which are always looming. Embracing a life of faith is an ongoing, conscious choice; we cannot simply wait for faith to manifest because God will work in us. Philippians 2:5 (ESV) makes it clear that we must align our minds: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” This indicates that our individual minds matter, but even more so, it emphasizes the power of the collective mindset shared among all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

In this passage from Hebrews, we are reminded of the importance of supporting one another on our shared journies of faith. Let us choose to stand together and uplift each other as we navigate this path together.

Stephen Barnett

The Glory Of Christ Revealed

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, who is faithful to the one who appointed him, as Moses was also in God’s house. For he has come to deserve greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves greater honor than the house itself! For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. We are of his house, if in fact we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope we take pride in”. Hebrews 3:1-6 NET

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that we are all holy (set apart) and called to share in a divine purpose. However, this calling doesn’t make us inherently unique; rather, it signifies our willingness to respond. Some believe God has predetermined certain individuals for salvation from the beginning of creation. Yet, this notion contradicts scripture, particularly John 3:16, which clearly states that “…the world might be saved through the Son.” What truly sets us apart is our active response to God’s invitation. This response defines our unique journey in faith, not God’s predisposed predilection of determinism.

The writer also says, “Take note of Jesus, the apostle and High Priest we confess.” This statement is particularly compelling because the writer intentionally uses the term ‘apostle’ to describe Jesus’ essential role. The word ‘apostle’ means “one who is sent off” or “an emissary.” Jesus is the first apostle entrusted by the heavenly Father with a profound mission. He was sent to be born as a human child, embodying both humanity and divinity. In this unique capacity, Jesus serves as God’s emissary, delivering the ultimate gift of salvation. to all of humanity: Himself.

The prophets who preceded Jesus were entrusted with vital messages from God, serving as His emissaries for their time. While they played an essential role, they were not the means of salvation; being human, they were fallible and flawed. Some even displayed challenging traits, yet God's truth broke through their limitations. When Jesus came of age, He embodied unwavering faithfulness to the one who sent Him, fulfilling the divine purpose in a way only He could.

Moses is indeed acknowledged as part of God’s household, but it is crucial to recognize that Jesus deserves far greater glory than Moses. The book of Hebrews was addressed to Jews who held Moses in high esteem as the cornerstone of their faith. Consequently, it is not surprising that many found it difficult to accept Jesus as greater than Moses, particularly since their knowledge of Him was based on secondhand accounts from those who had interacted with Him personally.

The author of Hebrews skillfully employs Old Testament texts to demonstrate that Jesus was anticipated even in ancient times. Both Moses and Jesus are likened to builders of a house; however, it is the builder—who embodies creation—who merits greater honor than the house itself. While the children of Israel are indeed remarkable, they cannot surpass Moses. In the same vein, Jesus, being God incarnate, surpasses all that He has created. Recognizing this hierarchy not only deepens our understanding of Jesus’ significance but also reinforces the divine authority He holds over all creation.

Moses exemplified faithfulness as a servant to the children of Israel, faithfully relaying God’s messages to His people and serving as God's oracle for many years as a priest. Yet, he was also human and imperfect, lacking the unending life that only God can offer. This truth led to Moses’s death after a life dedicated to service. Though he was a devoted servant, his disobedience resulted in God barring him from entering the Promised Land. However, in a show of grace, Moses was granted the opportunity to see the land from a distance before his passing (Numbers 20:6-13).

Moses’s role as a priest did not exempt him from sin; he was still fallible. Nonetheless, God’s unwavering love for Moses allowed him to continue serving and experiencing God’s presence in manifold ways. Some may think that Moses served out of obligation, but in reality, it was love that motivated him. He would never partake in what he found distasteful; instead, he devoted himself to God willingly and reverently, showcasing the profound relationship he had with his Creator.

We are truly the house of God, with Jesus living within our hearts and minds. Isn’t it remarkable that He is called a carpenter and a builder? The house He builds in us metaphorically represents the Holy Temple, where His presence dwells in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred space at the core of our hearts and desires. Jesus reigns in and through us, not out of mere obligation, but from a profound love that inspires and transforms us.

Encountering the Lord is a profound opportunity that can transform our lives. When we approach that moment with intention and an open heart, it can become one of our most cherished experiences. Although we may not witness miraculous events like a burning bush or see the angel of the Lord passing directly in front of us, the significance of His presence and His word is undeniable. God’s love transcends our natural reality, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. We can find strength in the assurance that He is always faithful, never leaving or forsaking us, even amid our shortcomings. It is God’s nature to love; embrace His encounter—it can change everything.

Stephen Barnett

He Had To Be Made Like His Brothers In Every Respect

“And (Jesus) set(s) free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death. For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham’s descendants. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted”. Hebrews 2:15-18 NET

A profound question often lingers in my mind: it's the elephant in the room. If Jesus, as a divine being, created angels and the sons of God, along with all of creation, to attend to Him and possess limitless power, then what motivated Him to create humanity? What purpose was served by the intricate process of bringing forth the earth and mankind? Many scholars suggest that God yearned for a family reflective of Himself—beings endowed with autonomy and free will. He sought companions like Himself who could embody His likeness and image. It wasn't about God lacking anything; rather, He aspired to have a progeny—a people entrusted with the noble task of stewardship and care for His creation.

Most people possess a fundamental desire to procreate and pass on their genes, ensuring that their family lineage continues into the future. This longing can be seen as a divine gift, a deep desire to create and nurture future generations. It reflects God's heart for humanity, as we are designed to be part of His family. Our lineage is filled with traits that make us bearers of His image. Despite the many ways some might deny this truth, love remains at the core of our nature. This love is the highest reflection of God's character, showcasing His essence in the fullest way. Embracing this truth can profoundly impact how we understand ourselves and our purpose in the world. We are God’s imagers.

The Satan, our adversary, the rebellious son, thrives on accusations and deception. His primary aim has always been to steer us away from truly embracing the love and essence of God. By planting seeds of doubt and distraction, he attempts to obscure the beautiful truth that we are cherished sons and daughters of God. Each of us reflects God’s character in myriad ways, with love shining brightly as the most apparent. The enemy often utilizes fear and lies to convince us that we have wandered too far from God's grace, leading us to believe that there's no way back to His warm embrace. But here’s the incredible news: Jesus is here to save us! Through His sacrifice, He carries the weight of our sins, rendering the enemy powerless. Thanks to Jesus, we can boldly step into the freedom and salvation He provides, leaving behind any feelings of guilt or shame. With His love illuminating our path, we can fully receive our identity as treasured children of God and live with renewed hope and purpose!

Have you ever wondered why God seems less concerned about angels or rebellious sons of God and so focused on humanity? I have. I believe the answer lies in the unique investment He has made in us. God has infused His own nature and traits within us, empowering us to become like Him—not merely as servants, but as reflections of His person reflected in the life and person of Jesus. While all of creation serves Him in various capacities, humanity stands apart with the incredible advantage of possessing God-like characteristics. We have the ability to mirror and share His nature as His progeny, a distinction that angels and other divine beings do not share. This profound connection underscores our significance in His divine plan.

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes a profound truth: although Jesus was divine, He chose to be fully human, sharing in our experiences in every way. He understood the trials of growing up and the deep sorrows that come with being human. It’s astonishing to think that Jesus faced the same struggles and emotions I dealt with during my formative years. Yet, the Bible affirms that He did.

Jesus lived a life rich with challenges, being both fully God and fully man. He endured the frustrations of adolescence while also exercising His authority over creation. He experienced the tumult of puberty and learned to balance His physical existence with the demands of His community. As He approached adulthood, knowing that His mission would provoke opposition and ultimately lead to His death must have caused Him profound frustration.

Realizing that Jesus navigated all aspects of human emotion offers me immense comfort. It reassures me that I am not alone in my struggles; He truly relates to our experiences and pain.

Every experience in Jesus’ life uniquely shaped Him into a merciful and faithful High Priest. He didn’t merely observe the human condition; He fully immersed Himself in it, unlike many Levites who distanced themselves from the people. This connection is crucial—every part of life links back to God, not just the ceremonial duties of the priesthood. Atonement for the people's sins was fully realized through His suffering, affirming that it wasn’t just His divine nature that accomplished this.

Jesus faced relentless opposition and hostility, and for good reason. He wasn’t rebellious or antagonistic; rather, He courageously challenged the status quo, which threatened those in power. He understood the necessity of enduring temptation and suffering. His greatest trial was remaining non-retaliatory, even in the face of absolute innocence. With legions of angels at His disposal to defeat His adversaries, He chose silence, embodying humility, just as a sheep remains silent before its shearers.

As I mentioned earlier, Jesus can help those who face temptation because He experienced temptation in every way that can lead us astray, yet He remained faithful to God and to Himself. Instead of retaliating, He chose to demonstrate God’s mercy in the face of persecution. One important aspect that often gets overlooked is that Jesus was committed to Himself and saw His mission through despite opposition. He could not have accomplished what He did without promising Himself to fulfill the requirements for our redemption all the way to the end. Jesus had a vision of the bigger picture; He understood the joy set before Him in completing His task so that all men and women could once again become sons and daughters of God, removing the curse upon humanity. This understanding motivated Jesus and kept Him focused on achieving His ultimate aim which was the redemption of mankind.

Stephen Barnett

Partaking Of Flesh And Blood

“For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin, and so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.” Again he says, “I will be confident in him,” and again, “Here I am, with the children God has given me.” Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil)” Hebrews 2:10-14 NET

What resonates deeply with me is the phrase: "for it was fitting for him..." It captures a profound truth: God established the rules (laws) to open a pathway for humanity to attain salvation. Achieving this through the Torah law was nearly impossible, as perfection could never be fulfilled by human effort alone. Only God Himself could flawlessly adhere to His own law. This underscores the original intent of the law—it was never meant to be an end in itself, but rather a definition of perfection, illustrating the divine in a way that humanity can understand.

“For whom and through whom all things exist.” The writer of Hebrews powerfully emphasizes that God not only established the Torah laws but also created everything that interacts with those laws—everything we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. The natural world is the handiwork of a divine being; it did not merely arise by chance from nothingness, as some scientific perspectives suggest. Creation reflects an astonishing balance that resonates with divine order. Yet, we must recognize that creation is fundamentally imperfect. It was never designed to endure eternally, as only God embodies eternity. All forms of creation are subject to decay through entropy; what begins in order is destined to eventually descend into disorder. Understanding this helps us appreciate both the beauty and the transitory nature of the world around us.

You might say that the purpose of entropy or decay is ultimately “to bring many sons to glory.” The book of Revelation reveals that both the earth and the heavens will face decay and pass away, making way for a new heaven and a new earth designed for those whom God has redeemed through His son, Jesus. This incredible transformation will result in an eternal kingdom—not one crafted by human hands, but one whose architect is God Himself. The everlasting God, whose profound wisdom far exceeds our understanding, is creating this new heaven and earth for us to experience life with Him and His son, Jesus. The implications of this divine promise are nothing short of astounding.

How did all of this come to be? Why would God allow such chaos to surround us? The answer lies in God’s deep desire for a family—not just any family, but one composed of imagers capable of reflecting divine traits, much like Himself. Although He created various cosmic sons of God—divine beings in their own right—none could mirror Him as a true son reflects his father. This is where a profound divine experiment began, conducted with the full understanding of God’s council. God recognized that this choice could stir rebellion among celestial ranks, yet He deemed the potential benefits of having true reflections of His nature worth the risk.

Jesus stands as the ultimate pioneer of humanity’s salvation. The Greek term "archegos" signifies not just a leader, but also a prince, chief, ruler, founder, or originator. He is the perfect example of the faithful Son, made complete through His incredible sufferings. The law, by itself, could not achieve perfection unless there were consequences for its violation. A sacrifice was essential to fulfill the law’s true purpose. Jesus willingly bore the penalties—not because He failed to uphold the law, but because we, in our humanity, could not. It can be said that the law was established to be perfectly fulfilled by Jesus for all time. The immense suffering He endured at the hands of the Romans was a profound act of love, serving as our payment for the sins we could not atone for on our own.

Jesus is God in human form, and we share fundamental origins as human beings born of mothers. What makes Jesus truly extraordinary is that He was conceived without natural procreation. Unlike us, He did not inherit chromosomes from Joseph, His earthly father; rather, He received them solely from Mary, His mother. We all share a bond with Jesus through natural childbirth, as we are born of water and blood.

The significant distinction is that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, empowered by El Elyon (the Most High God), who enveloped Mary and miraculously fertilized her egg. Typically, when an angel of the Lord appears, it is the Lord Himself manifested in that angel. Consequently, Jesus’s genetic makeup consisted of half-human heritage from Mary and half-divine essence from God.

Jesus's divine nature uniquely sets Him apart from us; He was born without any genetic material from a human father. His essence provided the spiritual foundation essential for His life. In contrast, our identity is rooted in the heritage passed down from our parents, which significantly differentiates us. However, when we embrace Jesus as our Savior, we undergo a profound transformation as our spiritual code is renewed or rewritten. This powerful experience reconnects us with our true spiritual selves, awakening the awareness that existed within us long before we entered this world.

Because Jesus was born a human and lived a human life, he has no compunction in calling us His brothers and sisters. “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.” This verse draws directly from Psalm 22, an important reference for the Jewish Christian audience the writer of Hebrews addresses. By utilizing various Old Testament passages, the author effectively substantiates his arguments. The selection of Psalm 22 is particularly powerful, as it highlights the theme of undeserved suffering. Although David wrote this Psalm, it does not recount specific events from his life, allowing it to serve as a broader commentary on suffering and prophetic insight into the Messiah. Jesus likely quoted Psalm 22:1 while on the cross, and Hebrews cites Psalm 22:22, where the psalmist vows to praise God despite not yet being rescued.

From the Messiah’s perspective, Jesus boldly proclaims His Father’s name to His brothers. In the assembly, He invokes His heavenly divine council, promising to honor and praise His brothers among those who recognized and embraced Jesus’ mission on Earth as their salvation. Psalm 22 encapsulates a profound duality; it speaks both about David, its author, and prophetically to the Messiah yet to come, highlighting the significance of His mission and the fulfillment of the divine promise.

“I will place my confidence in Him,” and once more, “Here I am with the children God has given me.” The author of Hebrews skillfully intertwines two powerful Old Testament passages to reinforce his message: “When I am afraid, I trust in you. In God—I boast in His promise. In God, I trust; I am not afraid. What can mere men do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4 NET) and “Look, I and the sons whom the Lord has given me are reminders and object lessons in Israel, sent from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who resides on Mount Zion” (Isaiah 8:18 NET).

While these passages address different historical contexts within Israel, they resonate with prophetic significance, conveying a profound message of believing loyalty and devotion to the Lord’s promises and protection. Jesus did bring many sons to glory and is still doing so today; it was the reason that He came to earth.

This passage culminates with a crucial truth: because the 'children' are made of flesh and blood, Jesus embraced their humanity and became just like us. It is truly astonishing to contemplate a divine being experiencing the human condition. Furthermore, He confronted the enemy of our souls so that, through His death, He could triumph over and obliterate the power of death itself. In doing so, He permanently stripped the rebellious adversary, whom we refer to as Satan or the devil, of his authority over the dead, ensuring our victory and freedom for life in Him forevermore.

Stephen Barnett

We Were Always On His Mind

“For he did not put the world to come, about which we are speaking, under the control of angels. Instead someone testified somewhere: “What is man that you think of him or the son of man that you care for him? You made him lower than the angels for a little while. You crowned him with glory and honor. You put all things under his control.” For when he put all things under his  control, he left nothing outside of his control. At present we do not yet see all things under his control, but we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God’s grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone.” Hebrews 2:5-9 NET

From the profound perspective of the author of Hebrews, “the world to come” refers to the anticipated “inhabited earth,” illustrating the realm of human beings and their societies. While God is frequently depicted in the present tense, this unique reference in Hebrews signifies the envisioned future of our world. The author asserts that God’s ultimate intention was never to abandon governance of the earth to celestial beings. In a crucial moment of judgment at the Tower of Babel, however, God intervened decisively, assigning members of His Divine Council to oversee humanity. The rise of human wickedness called for such an intervention, highlighting the necessity of divine restraint. In this divine arrangement, God appointed celestial beings to manage the seventy nations of the time, while uniquely reserving one nation for Himself, destined to fulfill the role of His priests. This nation would arise through Abraham's lineage, establishing a vital purpose within the framework of God’s grand design.

The writer of Hebrews draws on the rich insights of Psalm 8, posing the compelling question, “What is man that you should think of him?” This poignant inquiry invites profound contemplation. God created humanity to inhabit the earth, yet the psalmist intriguingly speaks in the third person, reflecting, “Why should you remember him? What significance does humanity hold that justifies your attention?” He emphasizes this notion with the statement, “You made him lower than the angels for a little while,” linking back to the Tower of Babel—a critical moment when God’s judgment led to a temporary suspension of humanity’s status as His imagers due to their disloyalty. This serves as a stark reminder of our fragile position within the divine order and the vital importance of our believing loyalty to God.

“You crowned him with glory and honor; you put everything under his control.” Initially referring to Adam, this declaration remarkably applies to the second Adam, Jesus. While Jesus embodies the second Adam, He also stands as the firstborn of all humanity. Through Him, our identity as God’s imagers has been splendidly restored. Because of Jesus, we are crowned with glory and honor, gifted with the role of co-heirs alongside Him. God has entrusted all creation to our stewardship, as everything ultimately falls under Jesus’s authority. This truth does not elevate us above Christ; rather, it underscores the depth of our dependence upon Him. What an extraordinary partnership God has generously granted us through Jesus!

“When he placed all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control.” This profound reality unveils the remarkable gift God has granted humanity through Jesus Christ—all things truly mean everything. God invites us to fully engage with Jesus in every facet of creation—this is our divine inheritance in Christ. Embracing this truth is a journey unique to each of us. I recall my grandmother often declaring that Jesus was her all in all. Although I didn’t grasp the depth of her statement back then, I am beginning to understand now. Recognizing Jesus as my everything transcends a mere concept; it transforms my faith and life.

“At present, we may not see all things under His control, but we see Jesus.” This compelling assertion captures the “already, but not yet” understanding, indicating we are traversing a dispensational era. As I’ve explored in previous discussions, Jesus exists beyond earthly constraints and His kingdom is an ever-present reality, even if we have yet to fully perceive it. Nevertheless, one undeniable truth remains: we can clearly see Jesus now. We can turn to Him for solace and assurance in our struggles and uncertainties. His work is complete, and His burden is light. When we fail to rest in His presence, we risk becoming overwhelmed, attempting to navigate problems independently without the peaceful solutions He offers. Let’s always prioritize fixing our gaze on Jesus and finding our sanctuary in Him.

“Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death so that by God’s grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone.” Just as humanity has suffered from being made temporarily lower than the angels, Jesus—divine in nature—humbly became man, embracing our human experience. Isaiah 53 beautifully underscores this profound reality:

“Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the Lord’s power revealed through him? He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant.

But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished,attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.

All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the Lord caused the sin of all of us to attack him. He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth. He was led away after an unjust trial—but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded. They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb, because he had committed no violent deeds, nor had he spoken deceitfully.

Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill, once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life, and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him. Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins. So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels.”” Isaiah 53:1-12 NET

This prophecy is astonishing, considering it was composed an incredible 600 years before the birth of Jesus.

Stephen Barnett

Pay Attention, Don't Drift Away

“Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, while God confirmed their witness with signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:1-4 NET

I remember being taught many years ago that the word “therefore” is an important transitional word, and we must be certain what it is there for. Everything mentioned in chapter one, as well as what we have learned through teaching and preaching from others, plus practical experience in our relationship with Jesus and His word, sets the tone for what the writer of Hebrews talks about next.

“Paying close attention to what we have heard” means not just taking everything at face value alone, or we can miss the deeper message. The key is to be always drawn to desire the word of God; there are always deeper messages and truths to be mined, like a miner who is panning for Gold; there is always more treasure to be found if one remains diligent and keeps searching. It is easy to become discouraged or complacent, thinking that we have understood what each passage has to offer, and to drift away from allowing the word of God to continue its process of forming us into men and women of faith who rely upon its formative nature to change us.

A question that is occasionally asked of me is, ' How do you know the word of God is true?’ In chapter one, the writer explains that the message spoken to us by angels has so much significance and power to be delivered by divine beings and not just by man alone. It was proven through signs and wonders by men and women who were filled with the Holy Spirit, claiming that the message of Christ is true. There was no violation of the Old Testament law demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ; in fact, He fulfilled the law in every way. Again, it is the understanding that Jesus gave the law to show that humankind could not fulfill the requirements of the Old Testament law; only a divine being could, and Jesus is that divine being. It is His story of how He fulfilled that law in its completeness that makes it firm.

For if we had actually lived under the Old Testament law, any violation would have nullified our attempt at being righteous and makes us guilty of the entire law in our lives, for to fail in one part of the law is to fail the entire law. We would have become dismal failures, and we would have received the just penalty of the judgment of the law, which is death. With Jesus becoming our propitiation or scapegoat, He becomes our penalty or sacrifice. He bore the full weight of the world's sins. Even though He fulfilled the law, He still bore its full penalties for each of us. We stand in His righteousness, not our own, and are wiped clean of all sin and unrighteousness because of the sacrifice of Jesus.

‘How can we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?’ It is a rhetorical question; we can’t escape. Jesus’s death and resurrection ratified the means of restoring us to the right relationship with our heavenly Father. We cannot escape or cause it to be of no effect, no matter what we say or do. His sacrifice still stands firm and unchanging. The question should be, ‘What are we escaping to if we choose to ignore or neglect His salvation?’ We are escaping the freedom of Christ to follow our own devices, unable to be restored to the right relationship with our creator.

We are all children of God, whether we recognize it or not. How we spend our lives on this earth is up to us, but our eternity is determined by our willingness to acknowledge Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. The only requirement for salvation is our beliieving loyalty in Jesus; it is not about being or doing better. If that were the case, we would already be better, but we struggle because of sin. Believing loyalty in Jesus addresses the sin problem; through our relationship with Him, we become better people by association. If salvation depended on our own efforts to become better, then Jesus’s sacrifice would be in vain, and our salvation would be meaningless.

There are many examples of believing loyalty in the Old Testament. For example, when the Israelites were loyal to God and trusted Him to protect and provide for them, they prospered. When they turned away from God and were disloyal to Him, God allowed them to be overrun by their enemies and taken into captivity, and in many cases to be killed. God’s blessings were always conditional. It has not changed in the New Testament, believing loyalty in Jesus Christ is still a requirement to be saved. “Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven”. Matthew 10:32-33 NET

The letter to the Hebrews is written by an anonymous author, leaving us to ponder the identity of this insightful disciple. This letter effectively fortifies Christian beliefs by illustrating the unparalleled priesthood of Christ. Unlike the Jewish high priests, who were appointed temporarily and whose sacrifices had to be repeated continually, Christ, as God’s own Son, offered a singular, perfect sacrifice that redeemed all of humankind once and for all. This pivotal distinction highlights the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. 

The author cautions Christians against the dangers of apostasy, warning them of the “fearful prospect of judgment” (Hebrews 10:27) that awaits “those who have spurned the Son of God” (Hebrews 10:29). This serves not only as a reminder but also as a call to action, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith, inspired by the heroic examples of others whom they admire and respect.

The letters to the Galatians and the Hebrews clearly share important similarities. Both letters address Christian communities facing a significant crisis of faith, as strong Jewish influences are actively trying to draw believers back into the constraints of the Torah law, away from the true freedom that comes through Christ.

When the letter to the Hebrews was written, there were very few documented historical documents detailing the life of Jesus; according to many scholars, this letter was written during the latter half of the first century. With the lack of historic documented resource material, early Christians had to rely heavily on oral tradition and recollections from those who had seen Jesus and spent time with Him so that they could relay the essential elements of the faith. This reliance on oral tradition underscores the importance of passing down written accounts of knowledge through the generations.

Stephen Barnett