Hebrews as Muse -- Look Up
Hebrew: The word has a vague origin, thought to come from an ancient word meaning “one from the other side,” (the other side of the river Euphrates). Abraham was called by God to leave Ur and travel to an unknown place across the Euphrates, eventually called the Promised Land. Those coming from him would be called Hebrews, people from the other side of the Euphrates, and in another way: choosing God’s side over the worlds.
Muse: A person (or personified force) that is a source of inspiration and learning.
Thus, the title of this series: Hebrews as Muse. Using a recent book by Chad Ragsdale, entitled Holy Grit, this series will be examining what we can learn from the New Testament book of Hebrews. It will not be a verse-by-verse study but will look at each chapter and pick some things we can glean.
The book of Hebrews is one of the most interesting of the 26 we find in the New Testament pages. First, we don’t know for sure the author. The author is obvious in most New Testament books. The writers were either well known as authoring the book, or they clearly identify themselves, as Paul usually does in his letters. Romans 1:1 as an example, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…” I Peter 1:1 is another example, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion…” Or James 1:1, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.”
Some believe the author of Hebrews was in fact the apostle Paul. But why would he identify himself in all his other letters, but not in this one? And many note that the style of writing in Hebrews does not match the style of Paul we find in his other letters. So, if not Paul, who? Barnabas is offered, some say Luke, but I lean toward Apollos. Apollos was a Jew who grew up in Alexandria. We learn that he “being fervent in spirit, spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus” (Acts 18:25). He had to be corrected on baptism but was receptive (Acts 18:25-28). The author of Hebrews needs to be a Jew, knowledgeable of the Law and the sacrifices, and Apollos would have been. He would need to be an apprentice of one or more of the apostles, and there’s no reason to think Apollos wasn’t. He was in Ephesus and Corinth, both with churches started by Paul. We just aren’t sure.
The audience appears to be Jewish Christians. With their strong background in the Law of Moses and the sacrificial system used, they needed to clearly understand the bridge this provides to Jesus and his sacrifice. That is part of the author’s objective, to make this connection clear.
In the first chapter (chapters were added later, but we’ll progress that way), the author seems to want us to look up, to see God as supreme. I remember a favorite vacation Rexanne and I took many years ago, through northern Arizona to southern Utah. We went to Zion National Park and while there we hiked “The Narrows.” Most of the time you are wading in the Virgin River that runs through this canyon. And when you look up above the river you see rock walls that go hundreds of feet in the air, on both sides. Only a thin strip of sky can be seen. To see light, you must look up. Looking up, you are inspired!
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through prophets and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After providing purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Heb. 1:1-3) That’s who Christ-followers follow! He provides good news (gospel), purification for sins! “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” (Heb. 1:10, quoting Psalm 102)
Our hope is provided by the one who created and sustains the universe! Jesus is no mere prophet, not merely a good man. He is the Son of God, active in creation, and able to create a new person when we yield to him.
Cross Point: The Lord is my light and my salvation---- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life ---- of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27)
Muse: A person (or personified force) that is a source of inspiration and learning.
Thus, the title of this series: Hebrews as Muse. Using a recent book by Chad Ragsdale, entitled Holy Grit, this series will be examining what we can learn from the New Testament book of Hebrews. It will not be a verse-by-verse study but will look at each chapter and pick some things we can glean.
The book of Hebrews is one of the most interesting of the 26 we find in the New Testament pages. First, we don’t know for sure the author. The author is obvious in most New Testament books. The writers were either well known as authoring the book, or they clearly identify themselves, as Paul usually does in his letters. Romans 1:1 as an example, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…” I Peter 1:1 is another example, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion…” Or James 1:1, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.”
Some believe the author of Hebrews was in fact the apostle Paul. But why would he identify himself in all his other letters, but not in this one? And many note that the style of writing in Hebrews does not match the style of Paul we find in his other letters. So, if not Paul, who? Barnabas is offered, some say Luke, but I lean toward Apollos. Apollos was a Jew who grew up in Alexandria. We learn that he “being fervent in spirit, spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus” (Acts 18:25). He had to be corrected on baptism but was receptive (Acts 18:25-28). The author of Hebrews needs to be a Jew, knowledgeable of the Law and the sacrifices, and Apollos would have been. He would need to be an apprentice of one or more of the apostles, and there’s no reason to think Apollos wasn’t. He was in Ephesus and Corinth, both with churches started by Paul. We just aren’t sure.
The audience appears to be Jewish Christians. With their strong background in the Law of Moses and the sacrificial system used, they needed to clearly understand the bridge this provides to Jesus and his sacrifice. That is part of the author’s objective, to make this connection clear.
In the first chapter (chapters were added later, but we’ll progress that way), the author seems to want us to look up, to see God as supreme. I remember a favorite vacation Rexanne and I took many years ago, through northern Arizona to southern Utah. We went to Zion National Park and while there we hiked “The Narrows.” Most of the time you are wading in the Virgin River that runs through this canyon. And when you look up above the river you see rock walls that go hundreds of feet in the air, on both sides. Only a thin strip of sky can be seen. To see light, you must look up. Looking up, you are inspired!
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through prophets and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After providing purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Heb. 1:1-3) That’s who Christ-followers follow! He provides good news (gospel), purification for sins! “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” (Heb. 1:10, quoting Psalm 102)
Our hope is provided by the one who created and sustains the universe! Jesus is no mere prophet, not merely a good man. He is the Son of God, active in creation, and able to create a new person when we yield to him.
Cross Point: The Lord is my light and my salvation---- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life ---- of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27)
Posted in Cross Points