During the past several weeks I have been presenting ideas about the Letter of Paul to the Hebrews. Within its late first-century historical context, the language of Hebrews is thoroughly subversive. It subverts the foundation of temple theology – the claim that reconciliation with God is only truly possible through the temple. The author argues that what we see in Jesus means that the need for temple sacrifice is over with. Where there is forgiveness of these sins, there is no longer any   offering for sin. Hebrews is about the end of the system of sacrifice, not about its reestablishment in Christian doctrinal form.

The metaphorical meaning of its presentation of Jesus as high priest and sacrifice is radical: God, through Jesus, has taken away whatever you think separates you from God. The once for all sacrifice has been made. The system of requirements is over with. This meaning is confirmed by the author’s use of “new covenant” language from Jeremiah (31:31-34). He refers to the passage more than once (8:8-13; 9:15-20; and 10: 9-18). The new covenant is written in minds and hearts, not in a list of requirements. It is about knowing God, who remembers sins no more.

I would encourage you to both read Hebrews and Jeremiah. It will make these statement much clearer.

After the multichapter exposition of Jesus as great high priest and sacrifice, Hebrews 11 speaks about faith. It begins with a definition: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. This is a wonderful definition of faith. After this definition, Paul continues with a   litany of Jewish heroes of faith: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the people of the Exodus, Rahab and others whom the author says he doesn’t have time to describe. His examples of faith combine trust, obedience and hope – the desire for a better country, a homeland, a city whose architect and builder is God.

Chapter 11 with these words:

The world was not worthy of them [the Jewish heroes of faith]. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, they dwelt in caves and in holes of the earth. Yet despite the fact that all of these were approved because of their faith, they did not obtain what had been promised. God had made a better plan, a plan which included us. Without us, they were not to be made perfect.

Think about this! God made a better plan that included us!