The letter to the Hebrews is ablaze with the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ; the glory of his deity, his manhood, his priesthood and sacrifice, his triumphant life of faith, his resurrection and ascension, and the certainty of his coming again. At the same time, it contains dark and sombre warnings, which are longer and more solemn than any we find in the other letters of the New Testament. It was written to Hebrew Christians who were suffering very severe persecution; so severe that they were at risk of turning back to Judaism. Were they genuine believers: did they really believe that Jesus is the Son of God? If we are genuine believers, there will be evidence. The famous chapter eleven shows us what real faith is, and how believers in a former day looked forward to a better country where God is not ashamed to be their God, for he has prepared for them a city. True believers are pilgrims who see that this world is temporary, but at the same time do not give up on their social responsibilities nor on loyalty to the Lord who suffered for them ‘outside the gate’.

I want to…