Scripture

Just think how much more the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which makes us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and having insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us .

Observation

If we deliberately and will fully keep sinning after we come into the way of truth, then there is no other sacrifice available to us. Under the law of Moses, those who refused to obey were put to death. How much worse then is the punishment for those who trample on the Lord Jesus.

God has told us that he will take revenge. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

T he people addressed in this letter were ridiculed, beaten, and imprisoned. but they accepted this suffering with joy. They should endure, remembering the great joy that comes when we remain steadfast.

Application

This passage is not about christians who continue to sin after they are saved. Everybody falls, and as we grow in maturity of faith, we learn how to live according to God’s standards for holiness.

This passage is about people who turn their backs on the way of salvation. They once believed but no longer do so. In the context of the letter, it is directly about those who caved in to pressure from the Jews and returned to obeying the law, thus denying salvation by faith in Christ.

It is sad when anybody turns away from the Lord. It is even worse when they are high profile leaders in the christian community. How often have we heard the phrase, “I no longer identify as a christian.”

Jesus himself said that anyone who denies him in this life will find that He denies them at the Judgement.

This is not to say that there is no chance of redemption for such people. But it is very hard to walk away from Jesus and then to try to come back.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to stay true to you all of my life. Amen.

Scripture

And let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is near.

Observation

We can boldly enter the Most Holy place of Heaven because of the blood of Jesus. His death opened a way through the curtain that separated us from God. Let us go then right into God’s presence.

We must hold tightly to hope, encourage one another in love, and keep on meeting together to build one another up.

Application

Meeting together with our brothers and sisters in the Lord is a basic part of Christian living.

God has called us to be a community of faith, a people who witness together and worship together.

How can we love one another, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens and so on, unless we actually meet together?

The church functions best when all of its members meet together in large groups and small groups. Meeting is great for worship and instruction. The smaller group is best suited for personal ministry, exhortation and fellowship.

Jesus did not minister as a “Lone Ranger” but through a band of followers whom he trained into ministry.

It is in exploring life together that we become mature in our walk with the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for your body, the church. Thank you for all of those brothers and sisters who encourage me regularly. Amen.

Scripture

When sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices

Observation

Christ cancelled the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. God’s will was for us to be made holy by the once for all sacrifice of Christ.

Under the old covenant the priests offered sacrifices again and again. but our High Priest offered himself as a sacrifice. Now he sits at the Father’s right hand, waiting for his enemies to be humbled.

Now there is no need for further sacrifices because our sins have been forgiven.

Application

In A.D. 70, God allowed the Roman army to enter Jerusalem and destroy to the ground the Temple. Not one brick remained on top of another as Jesus had prophesied.

God destroyed the Temple because it was obsolete. There was no need for sacrifices any more because the perfect sacrifice had been offered.

Jesus was described as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The sins are gone. All offences are forgiven and guilt removed.

Jesus has taken away my sins forever. There is no need for me to ever offer anything back to God to atone for my sins.

As Jesus said on the cross,”It is finished.” Amen

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for being my perfect sacrifice, the once and for all time offering. Amen.