Disciples Digital Library

A key theme in the letter to the Hebrews is the elevation of the “ Son ” as the result of his obedient death. In his sufferings, he was “ perfected ,” and in his resurrection, God vindicated him and elevated him to “ sit down ” at the “ right hand of the Majesty on high .” And there, he now intercedes on behalf of his “ brethren .”

The priesthood of Jesus is a key subject of the book of Hebrews . He has become the “ merciful and faithful high priest ” who intercedes for “ his brethren .” This topic is anticipated in the letter’s opening paragraph by declaring that he has “ achieved the purification of sins ,” and therefore, he “ sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high ,” where he now intercedes for his people.

The priesthood of Jesus is a key subject of Hebrews . He became the “ merciful and faithful high priest ” who now intercedes for “ his brethren .” This is anticipated in the opening paragraph, including the uniqueness of his priesthood, by declaring that he “ achieved the purification of sins ,” and then afterward, he “ sat down ” in God’s presence.

A key point of the opening paragraph of the letter to  Hebrews  is the accomplishment of the Son on behalf of his people, and his exalted position where he sits at the “ right hand ” of God ministering as their High Priest “ forevermore .” He alone secured what none of his predecessors were able to achieve.

According to Paul, men are not set right before God “from the works of the law,” but instead, “from the faith of Jesus Christ.  Having demonstrated that all men have sinned and violated the revealed will of God, both Jews and Gentiles alike, Paul concludes that no one can be set right before God “ from the law .” Jews have the Mosaic Law but fall short of its requirements. Gentiles have the witness of their own conscience yet continue to live and even revel in sin.

Jesus is the Firstborn of the Dead, a reference to his resurrection and the basis for the future resurrection of the saints  – Revelation 1:5.  The vision of the “ Son of Man ” is preceded by “ greetings ” from the “ One who is, who was, and who is coming ,” from the “ seven spirits before His Throne ,” and from Jesus, the “ faithful witness ” and the “ firstborn of the dead .” In his death, he gave faithful testimony, and God vindicated his sacrifice when He raise him from the dead.

In several ways, Paul coordinates the commencement of the “last days” with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus .  The Apostle links the start of the “ last days ” with the death and resurrection of the Son of God. The time of fulfillment has arrived, and all God’s promises now find their “ yea and amen ” in him. “ In these last days ,” God has “ spoken ” His definitive “ word ” in His Son .

At his baptism, the voice from heaven identifies Jesus as the Son of God and the Servant of Yahweh  – Matthew 3:17.  The theme of fulfillment is key to Matthew’s gospel. In Jesus, the promises of God find their fulfillment and correct understanding. He is the Son of God sent to redeem Israel. Peter, for example, confirms that Jesus is the “ Messiah ,” but he fails to understand that he fulfills that role as the suffering “ Servant of Yahweh ,” the one destined to die for the sins of his people.

SYNOPSIS: The book of Revelation links the present reign of Jesus to his past Death and Resurrection, the immovable foundation of his kingdom.  The self-sacrificial death of Jesus and his consequent exaltation figure prominently in the  book of Revelation . His death on the cross is the foundation of its visions. The plan of God to redeem mankind and the Creation through Christ is unveiled in a series of visions. In  Revelation , the death and enthronement of Jesus put His redemptive plans into motion.

The conspiracy by the earth’s kings to unseat God’s Son is applied by the New Testament to the plot to destroy Jesus  – Psalm 2:1-6. The second Psalm is a key messianic passage applied to Jesus several times in the New Testament. But precisely when were its predictions fulfilled, and is the Messiah reigning even now on David’s Throne? Or is the world still waiting for his accession at a future date?

Having established his qualifications,  Hebrews  next presents Jesus as the high priest who intercedes faithfully for his people. He participated fully in the nature and sufferings common to all men, and therefore, his priestly ministry for his “ brethren ” is characterized by faithfulness, empathy, and compassion.

A key theme in the letter to the  Hebrews  is the elevation of the “ Son ” as the result of his obedient death. In his sufferings, he was “ perfected ,” and in his resurrection, God vindicated him and elevated him to “ sit down ” at the “ right hand of the Majesty on high ,” where he intercedes on behalf of his “ brethren .”

Jesus inaugurated the vastly superior new covenant in his death, rendering the old one obsolete .  The “word” that God now speaks “ in the Son ” surpasses all the past revelations made in “ the prophets .” Jesus went beyond them, “ having achieved the purification of sins .” Consequently, he “ sat down ” at the right hand of God and inherited “ all things .”

Jesus explains that he is on the way to Jerusalem where he will be arrested, tried, and executed per the plan of God  – Mark 10:32-34.  In  Mark , Jesus is “ on the way ” to Jerusalem and his inevitable death. This same theme occurs several times, beginning with John the Baptist who “ prepared the way before the Lord .” The Son of God is the  suffering servant of Yahweh  who is on the road from Judea to Golgotha where he meets his death outside the city.