Pastor Billington's Blog

Hebrews 7

Using Melchizedek, the author of Hebrews shows that Jesus’ priesthood is superior to that of the Leviticus priesthood.

• Melchizedek was a superior priest. Since Abraham paid a tithe to him, it was like the entire Levitical priesthood paid tithes to him. He just appears (Genesis 14:18-20), he has no beginning, no end, and no genealogy. He was both a king of righteousness and peace, as well as a priest. That makes him a foreshadowing (a type) of the coming eternal priest-king, Jesus, and explains the use of Psalm 110:4 (“you are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”).
• Jesus is from a different tribe than the priests. He is from the tribe of Judah.
• Jesus is the author of a “better covenant!” The Levitical priesthood was temporary, because the law and sacrifices were temporary. They couldn’t bring perfection.
• Jesus doesn’t offer up the blood of bulls and goats for sacrifices.  He offers up Himself.
• He can do this because He is holy, innocent, undefiled, and sinless.
• And His sacrifice is “once for all.” It doesn’t have to be repeated.
• He is the perfect, exalted Son, forever!

Thought for the day: Jesus isn’t only responsible for our salvation; he also has an important part to play regarding our Christian walk too!

Hebrews 7:25 (WEB) “Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 6

The author of Hebrews knows that in order for faith to mature, his readers will have to move beyond the basic principles of salvation and baptism. Although there are many disagreements as to what exactly Paul is saying in 6:4-7, I think that the best understanding is that Paul is addressing those within the congregation who have not yet believed. They participated in the community, experienced the preaching of the Word, and observed the presence of the Spirit at work around them. Even after all that, they refused to believe. They never truly embraced the gospel and displayed genuine faith, love, and service. If they had, then they would have persisted and become “imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.” While there are many other understandings of this passage (believers losing their faith, believers losing rewards, believers being warned by the use of hypotheticals), the argument itself seems geared to those who are genuine believers and will stay that way: “But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this.” The challenge for us is the same as the challenge to them: to grow and mature, and to make sure that we move from milk to solid food (5:12)!

The Jews would argue about the significance of oaths, and which oaths meant more because of what you were swearing them by (Matthew 23:16-22). What can God swear by that is greater than Himself? He can’t lie. He doesn’t change. He made a promise to Abraham, and He makes a promise to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus went behind the veil and offered Himself as the eternal sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:6-7). He is “a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Thought for the day: Our perseverance and growth are signs that God is with us, and a reminder that we will inherit His promises!

Ephesians 1:13-14 (WEB) “In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.”

Hebrews 5

If a high priest sinned, he was required to bring a sin offering to the temple (Leviticus 4:3-12). He could relate to the people because he was subject to the same frailties they were, even though he was called by God. Jesus was also called by God to be our high priest, as Psalm 110:4 shows. Even though He Himself was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), He struggled and suffered and wept and prayed, which is why He can relate to us (Hebrews 4:15).

Luke 22:39-46 (WEB) “He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. When he was at the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.’He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, and said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ “

In fact, He was heard because of His devotion! But we note that this hearing didn’t mean that He escaped the cross. The whole purpose of the incarnation was for the cross. Jesus took on humanity and suffered as a result of His obedience.

Philippians 2:6-9 (WEB) “who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,”

God incarnate, the second person of the divine Godhead, learned perfect obedience through the cross, and He “became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation.” If that doesn’t blow your mind, nothing will!

Thought for the day: This can be difficult to understand, but it’s important for us to get. It’s the “solid food” that we should be chewing on as adults in the faith. This “solid food” teaches us the magnificent truth about the incarnation and the price that was paid for our salvation. It also teaches us that suffering has role to play in our lives, and we become better and more mature, or “perfected” as a result of it.

James 1:2-4 (WEB) “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4 reminds us to persevere in our confession and not miss the promised rest of God, like others did (4:11)! Here is the flow of the argument:

• God entered into rest at the time of creation and His rest continues (Hebrews 4:4-6).
• This rest was available to the Israelites at the time of the Exodus, but they did not enter it because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:8-11; 4:2, 6).
• This rest was still available in David’s time, but it could only be entered into through faith (Hebrews 3:7, 13, 19; 4:7).
• This rest is called a “Sabbath-rest,” and is identified as a cessation from individual works and an entering into God’s finished work (Hebrews 4:3, 9, 10).
• This rest is available “today” (4:3), and we can enter it through Jesus Christ!
• We know about our need through the Bible, because it judges “the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” We all stand condemned before God as a result of its judgment (4:11-13).
• Jesus is not only the great high priest who offers his own life for our salvation, He is also the great high priest who lived life on this earth and experienced what we experience. When we need help or understanding, we can go to Him (4:14-16).

Thought for the day: Have you put aside the idea that you can work your way to God? Have you entered into the rest that is only available through Jesus Christ?

Ephesians 2:8-9 (WEB) “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”

Hebrews 3

Chapter 3 continues to extol the greatness of Jesus!

• We are partners in the heavenly calling, all because of Jesus!
• So we should follow Him. He is our example of how to be faithful.
• He is greater than Moses!
• We are the house that Jesus built. We show that we are His by holding firm to our confidence and hope.
• We shouldn’t be like the Israelites, who rebelled (with a quote from Psalm 95:7-11).
• We need to encourage and challenge each other in order to stay faithful and focused.

Thought for the day: It’s all about Jesus!

Philippians 2:9-10 (WEB) “Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.”

Hebrews 2

Hebrews 2 continues to reveal the superiority of the Son. He is greater than the angels!

If angels were a part of the giving of the law (Deuteronomy 33:2) and we shouldn’t neglect it, how much more should we heed the message that was given by the Son? “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” The Son’s message was confirmed by signs and the gifts given by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 8:4-6 and Genesis 1:28 reveal that the Son is greater than the angels because the world is subject to Him, even if that hasn’t yet been fully revealed. Even so, He deserves praise and adoration because of His willingness to become human and suffer on our behalf!

Jesus became human and suffered and died so that we could be saved. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 8:17-18 foreshadow his sacrifice for us. Because of His sacrifice we have been set free from the power of Satan and the power of death. We no longer need to fear! The Greek word translated “tempted” here can also be translated “trial,” which is probably better for our understanding.

Thought for the day: Jesus experienced life as we do. He understands the difficulties we face and therefore can help us through them!

Romans 8:34 (WEB) “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

Hebrews 1

Are you confused about who Jesus is and what being the Son means? Apparently, you’re not alone. In Hebrews 1 it’s revealed that Jesus is:

• Communicator (He has spoken to us)
• Heir
• Creator
• Majestic (He is the radiance of God’s glory)
• Divine (He is the representation of God’s essence)
• Sustainer
• Savior
• Lord
• So, of course He is better than the angels!

The author of Hebrews (possibly Paul) goes on to show exactly how much greater than the angels Jesus is! He quotes Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm 102:25-27, and Psalm 110:1.

Thought for the day: The angels are ministering servants. Jesus is King!

Revelation 19:11-16 (WEB) “I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called ‘The Word of God.’ The armies which are in heaven, clothed in white, pure, fine linen, followed him on white horses. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.’ “

Numbers 36

Chapter 36 resolves a dispute concerning inheritances. If inheriting daughters were to marry outside the tribe, what happens to the land during the year of Jubilee? The issue was resolved by allowing daughters to only marry within the tribe. That kept the land where it belonged.

The book closes with a reminder that, although Moses was used by God, God is the one calling the shots, and that’s why they should obey!

Thought for the day: God has also selected people today to convey and interpret His Word. If we don’t listen, we cause them grief and our disobedience brings harm to ourselves.

Hebrews 13:17 (WEB) “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Numbers 35

We see here that the Levites were taken care of even though they did not personally possess land or dwellings. This was for a twofold purpose: 1) God was the Levites inheritance (Numbers 18:20), and 2) they were to be dispersed throughout Israel because they were disseminators of God’s truth (Deuteronomy 33:10).

Numbers 18:20 (WEB) “Yahweh said to Aaron, ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.’ “

Deuteronomy 33:10 (WEB) “They shall teach Jacob your ordinances, and Israel your law.”

The cities of refuge show us the sanctity of life. Murderers were to be killed, but only if there was significant testimony to their guilt. In fact, life is so sacred that even manslaughter was seen as a significant crime. The offender’s freedom was restricted until either his death, or the death of the high priest.

Thought for the day: Life is sacred because we are made in the image of God!

Genesis 9:6 (WEB) “Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.”