Chapter 19: Letters Especially to Jewish Believers: Hebrews and James
Letters Especially to Jewish Believers
Hebrews and James
We must never forget that the first believers were Jews, and their missionary ministry took the message of the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 2, 10—11, 15). A knowledge of the Pentateuch is a key to understanding the book of Hebrews. Keep in mind that the epistle to the Hebrews tells us what Jesus is doing now in heaven as He ministers to His church. Master the book of Hebrews and the Lord will have an easier time mastering your life.
Hebrews
“The Book of Hebrews was written to the Hebrews to tell them to quit being Hebrews.”
Years ago, I heard Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse make that statement, and I have never forgotten it. As the early church grew in number, both Jews and Gentiles were in the membership. The Gentiles had nothing to lose except their idols and a confusion of religious lies, but the Jews had centuries of history behind them: a temple and a priesthood in Jerusalem, a system of sacrifices, and a calendar of religious events that controlled religious life. The Jewish believers were helping write New Testament history, but some of them didn’t quite know what to do with the Old Testament.
However, believers today, both Jews and Gentiles, have a complete Bible and can learn that the Old Testament prepares the way for the New Testament and sheds great light on the life of Jesus, the theology of the apostles, and the ministry of the church. The Jews boasted of their physical birth (“Abraham is our father”) while the believers experienced a spiritual rebirth. Israel has an earthly inheritance, but Christians have a spiritual inheritance. Israel had a priesthood, but every believer is a priest (Rev. 1:6). The Jews offered many sacrifices day after day, but our Lord offered “one sacrifice for sins forever” (Heb. 10:12). A veil hung between the Jewish worshippers and the Lord, but when Jesus offered Himself on the cross, that veil was torn from top to bottom. This means we have access to the Lord through our risen and glorified Savior.
In every way, the Christian believer’s position is superior to that of the most religious Jew. At least thirteen times in Hebrews, you will find the word better (or superior), for Hebrews was written to convince the readers that the Christian life was far superior to the Jewish life or the life that attempts to mingle Christianity with Judaism. The writer of Hebrews proved that Jesus is superior to the angels (1:4). He offers a superior hope (7:19) and gives us a superior covenant (7:22) with superior promises (8:6). He offered Himself as a superior sacrifice (9:22) and promises His people life in a superior country (11:16). The old covenant priests and Levites offered identical sacrifices day after day because animal blood cannot atone for human sin. But our Lord’s one sacrifice for sin at Calvary settled the matter forever.
The book of Hebrews is filled with several challenging themes, such as the “let us” statements in chapter 4: “let us fear” (4:1–5); let us understand (see 4:6–10); let us be diligent (4:11–13); “let us hold fast” (4:14–15); and “let us … come boldly” (4:16). Chapter 8 explains the superiority of the new covenant, which I touched on earlier. It is ministered by a superior high priest (vv. 1–2) in a superior sanctuary (vv. 3–5) and is based on superior promises (vv. 6–13). How is the heavenly sanctuary superior? Chapter 9 tells us. The earthly sanctuary was made by man, but God made the heavenly sanctuary that was the pattern for the tabernacle on earth (v. 9). The blood of Jesus presented in the heavenly sanctuary dealt effectively with sin and gives cleansing, while in the earthly sanctuary sin was covered by an animal’s blood (9:12–15). Additionally, what was limited to Israel is now available to the whole world (John 1:29).
Hebrews 8:5 reminds believers that they relate to that which is heavenly; therefore, they should set their affection and attention on things above (Col. 3:2). We have a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1; 8:5) and have tasted of the heavenly gift (6:4). Our destiny is a heavenly country (11:16) because we have a heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20; Luke 10:20), and we will receive a heavenly inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4). This is part of our heavenly hope (Col. 1:5).
Hebrews reveals that Jesus is in heaven today with the Father, but what is He doing? For one thing, He is speaking to His people through His Word (Heb. 1:1–2:3; 12:25). He is helping us know His will and is guiding us so we know how to obey Him for His glory. Paul said of the Lord, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (12:25). It isn’t only the pastor and the Sunday school teachers who must hear His Word, but each believer must spend time daily in the inspired Word of God. Many voices demand our attention these days, but the most important is that of Jesus, as the Spirit teaches us from the Bible.
Our Lord is also sustaining and upholding all things (Heb. 1:3). He holds everything up so it won’t fall and holds everything together so it won’t come apart (Col. 1:17). He brings everything along on the right path at the right time so that it reaches His appointed goal. Following the current news, we sometimes feel that the Lord isn’t at work or perhaps is not answering prayer, but such thinking is foolish and dangerous. (The next time you start questioning what the Lord is doing, take time to read Ps. 46.)
Jesus is speaking and upholding, but He is also sitting (Heb. 1:3). Where? On a throne in heaven (Isa. 6:1; Rev. 3:21). His work of redemption is ended, and He is now building His church and working in and through His people to accomplish His purposes on earth. Hebrews 2:10 tells us He is “bringing many sons to glory.” No matter what the enemy may do, none of His sheep will be lost (see 1 Pet. 5:10 and John 10:27–29). We may experience suffering and disappointment, but He will stay with us to care for us and help us do His will. This leads us to the fact that Jesus is sympathizing with his people (Heb. 4:14–16). Because our Lord had a human body and lived with people and knew their pains and problems, He was (and is) able to encourage them and heal them.
Jesus is also waiting expectantly (10:11–14; Ps. 110:1–2). At the right time, He will return, come for His church, and ultimately defeat His enemies and establish His kingdom. I must confess that impatience is one of my personal weaknesses; I want things to happen now! But our Lord has been waiting for centuries. However, as He waits, He is preparing. He’s preparing a city and a home for His people (11:16; John 14:1–6). He is equipping us for the ministry we will have in the world to come (Heb. 13:20–21). What that ministry is and how we will handle it depends on our service to the Lord today.
Finally, the Lord is saving sinners and praying for the saints (7:25). We can turn to Him in faith and receive the grace we need, and we can pray that the seed we have planted will bear fruit. Our work down here now depends on our faith and faithfulness, and our greatest desire should be to glorify the Lord.
In the early years of the church, some of the Jewish people didn’t want to abandon their ancient faith and turn to Christ because they thought they were losing too much, when actually they would be gaining, for Jesus Christ would be their unchanging High Priest (4:14–16). Not only do we have a High Priest, but “we have … an anchor” which is hope (6:13–20). We also have an altar (13:9–10) where we can give acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. That altar is Jesus Christ, for it is “by Him” that we offer sacrifices (13:15–16). This would include our sacrifices of praise (13:15), of good works (13:16), of our bodies (Rom. 12:1–2), and of the money and other material things needed for the Lord’s work (Phil. 4:18). We have a city (Heb. 13:14) and will dwell there and serve the Lord forever. Whatever we may lose because we are following Jesus Christ, it will be more than compensated for by what He gives to us in return for all eternity.
Keep in mind that the epistle to the Hebrews is part of the “team” of Bible books that quote Habakkuk 2:4: “The just shall live by his faith” (see Heb. 10:38; Gal. 3:11; and Rom. 1:17). While we are on the subject of repetition, note three strategic “without” verses in Hebrews: “without shedding of blood there is no remission” (9:22); “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (11:6); and “holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (12:14).
James
James was the “bishop” of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 21:18) and a half-brother to Jesus (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3; Gal. 1:19). Before our Lord’s death and resurrection, James and his brothers were unbelievers (John 7:1–5), but they did come to the faith. James sent his letter to Jewish believers “scattered abroad” who were experiencing trials and needed some errors corrected. The word brethren is used nineteen times. Here is a simple outhne of the letter:
The Christian life is not easy. We experience testing around us and temptations within us, and we must fight the world, the flesh, and the devil. One of the weapons James suggests we learn to use is joy. We should rejoice that we are being tested because that testing is proof that we’re really born again. Not only that, but uncomfortable trials help us to build character (Rom. 5:1–5). I must admit that I have to battle impatience, but the only way to overcome impatience is to be tested and forced to wait. There are no impatience pills. The word perfect means “mature, under control.” If we turn our circumstances over to the Lord, the Holy Spirit will help us get the victory. If I don’t surrender my mind to the Lord and let Him take over, I will find myself unstable and therefore unable. Our desire in life must be to glorify God and not just to please ourselves. God may permit us to be tempted, and He may test us, but He also permits us to trust Him for victory if we turn to Him.
Satan may use our desire for wealth as bait to lead us astray. The hunger in our hearts feeds our desires and tempts us to disobey the Lord. If we aren’t careful, we will start tempting ourselves! God always gives His children good gifts, while Satan gives what seems to be good but ends up being bad. The same Word of God that gives us our spiritual birth also enables us to defeat the enemy when he tempts us. When Satan tempted Jesus, the Lord defeated him with three verses from Deuteronomy. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11). The Word of God is a weapon Satan cannot overcome, but our responsibility is to know it, obey it, and trust it. James admonished us in verses 19 and 20 of chapter 1 to receive the Word, not to lose our temper, and not to talk too much.
Chapter 2 points us to the Son of God (vv. 1–4), the grace of God (vv. 5–7), the Word of God (vv. 8–11), and the judgment of God (vv. 12–13). All of these are necessary if we are to mature in the faith and serve the Lord for His glory. James warned us that our speaking about God is no substitute for our hearing God’s Word and obeying God’s will (2:14–26). Living faith results in faithful living, but “faith without works is dead” (v. 26). If the Spirit dwells within us, then we must obey what God commands: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). If our walk isn’t consistent with our talk, will anybody believe what we say?
In chapter 4, James warned us of four sins that we might commit but not even recognize. The first is selfishness (vv. 1–4). In my years of ministry, I have seen staff people and church officers just about split the church because they wanted their own way. If I’m at war with God in my heart and I can’t honestly pray, “Thy will be done,” then I’m going to start destroying the work of God. Selfish praying isn’t prayer at all, and it won’t bring God’s blessing. Worldliness is the next of James’ warnings (vv. 4–5). God’s people must be separated from the world. If we become friendly with the worldly life (v. 4), our next step will be to love the world (1 John 2:15–17) and decrease our love for the Lord. The world will then leave its spots on us (James 1:27), which leads to being conformed to the world (Rom. 12:1–2). All of this could lead to being condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32).
Note the sins that follow: stubbornness (James 4: 6–7), carelessness (v. 8), and bitterness (vv. 11–17). In chapter 5, James warns us about living for pleasure (vv. 1–6), being impatient (vv. 7–12), and losing power in our prayer life (vv. 14–20). If we turn these negatives into positives (living for God, patience, and empowered prayer), we will enjoy victory! One of the keys to spiritual victory is a daily habit of looking into the Word of God. James compares it to a mirror for examination (1:22–26). Did you know that the laver in the Old Testament tabernacle was made out of the brass mirrors of the Jewish women? (Exod. 38:8). The laver was for restoration, enabling the priests to wash their hands and feet and be clean before the Lord. When I read and meditate on the God’s Word, it’s like taking a bath or a shower (Eph. 5:25–26). But the “mirror” of the Word is not only for examination and restoration; it is also for transformation. If you want a shining face, ponder Exodus 34:29–33 and 2 Corinthians 3:7–18 and put what you learn into practice.
ADVENTURE ASSIGNMENT #19
First, reconsider the “superior” statements in Hebrews. Think about how these passages can inspire you to choose not only a better way but the best way. Then look at the four kinds of sin mentioned in James 4. Consider how James offers a superior way that involves shunning those sins.