Hebrews

This year, as I’ve dived deeper into the Bible, one fascinating truth has stood out to me: the writers of these letters (or books) were divinely smartened by God. They didn’t just write—they crafted their messages with intentionality, starting with punchlines that set the tone and reveal the heartbeat of their writings.  


Think about it. These introductions aren’t just words—they’re preparing us for the themes that echo throughout the entire piece. Let me show you what I mean:  


Luke 1:1-4

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us... I too decided to write an ORDERLY ACCOUNT for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  

Punchline: Luke isn’t just telling a story; he’s giving us a carefully investigated, truthful account to solidify our faith.


Galatians 1:6-8

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting... and turning to a DIFFERENT GOSPEL—which is really no gospel at all.”  

Punchline: Paul wastes no time. The message? Stick to the real gospel—no substitutes allowed!  


1 Timothy 1:3-6

“Stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people NOT TO TEACH FALSE DOCTRINES... The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and sincere faith.”  

Punchline: Paul is laying it down for Timothy. When you get there, focus on this... guard the truth and lead with love.  


Do you see the pattern? Right from the start, these writers were intentional about helping us catch the theme so we could follow the thread throughout.  


Now, we come to Hebrews—and WOW. What an opening!  


Hebrews 1:1-2

“In the past, GOD SPOKE to our ancestors through the prophets... but in these last days, HE HAS SPOKEN TO US BY HIS SON...”  


Punchline: This isn’t just about a new message—it’s about the ultimate message. JESUS is the pinnacle of God’s revelation, greater than anything or anyone before Him.  


And as you keep reading, the theme unfolds beautifully:  

- We are urged to pay attention to His voice (Hebrews 2:1). 

- God’s(Jesus) Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12).

- And above all, we see Jesus as the supreme revelation, greater than prophets, angels, or priests.  


The overarching theme of Hebrews, as many before me have observed, is simple but profound: "JESUS IS GREATER." But let’s take it further—His words are greater too.  


We’re called to:  

- Pay careful attention to what He SAID (the Gospels).  

- Listen closely to what He is SAYING (through the Spirit).  

- And allow His living Word to SHAPE our hearts today.  


The punchlines of Scripture aren’t just clever—they’re life-altering. They invite us to lean in, listen, and live differently. Hebrews reminds us that God’s voice didn’t stop echoing when the Bible was canonized—it continues to speak to us today. So, as we read, may we not just HEAR, but truly HEED His voice.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When the firstborn dies.

Image
Everything Changes When a Firstborn Dies. Today, I found myself reflecting on ancient Egypt—specifically, during the reign of the Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). It was a time of great power, but also of great sorrow, especially when things took a tragic turn. Now, you might know the story, but let's revisit it a bit. Joseph, the shepherd boy and his father’s favorite, found himself in a bit of a pickle. His brothers, tired of his dreams and his fancy coat, sold him off to some merchants. These merchants then sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. Fast forward a few years, and our boy Joseph had climbed the ranks in Egypt, from slave to leader. He was well-known, respected, and even had a family. Then, a severe drought struck, and Egypt, under Joseph’s brilliant management, became the region’s breadbasket. It’s said that the grain stores were so full that they stopped keeping records (Genesis 41:49). This abundance attracted people from all over, including Joseph’s own...
Read more

Full year BRG - Canonical

Image
Key Tips for Success Consistency Over Perfection: If you miss a day, don’t give up. Use the lighter weekends to catch up. Break It Down: Split the daily chapters into smaller portions (e.g., morning and evening readings). Use Audio Bibles: If you're too tired to read, listen to the chapters while driving, cooking, or relaxing. Journal Your Journey: Note one insight or question per day to deepen understanding and engagement. Accountability Groups: Form a small Bible study group to stay motivated and share reflections. - Week 1 (Jan 1–7):   Mon: Genesis 1–4     Tue: Genesis 5–8     Wed: Genesis 9–12     Thu: Genesis 13–16     Fri: Genesis 17–20     Sat: Genesis 21–22     Sun: Genesis 23–24   - Week 2 (Jan 8–14):   Mon: Genesis 25–28     Tue: Genesis 29–32     Wed: Genesis 33–36     Thu: Genesis 37–40     Fri: Genesis 41–4...
Read more

Praying for the physically ill.

Image
Whenever we have a loved one not feeling well, admitted in hospital or maybe even in a critical condition according to the medics, prayer can become hard. We get to a point of prayer fatigue (I first heard that term from a friend called Sarah) and if things are not handled well, we may end up praying amiss as James describes it. I have highlighted the WE sections to emphasize the value of prayer of unity. However, if you're praying while alone, you still are not alone. Believers pray in the company of other believers seen or unseen. That's why our Lord taught us to pray "our father" and not my father. We're never alone in the place of prayer. May this guide help you pray for yourself, your loved one, friend or a friend to a friend. Pray in the spirit and with understanding. 1. Praying for God's Will to Be Done In Mark 1:40-42, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responded, "I am willing....
Read more