The book of Hebrews, written by an unknown author to Jewish Christians, is one of the most doctrinal books of the New Testament. The problem the writer addresses seems to be that some of these Christians, under severe persecution, were on the verge of abandoning their faith and perhaps of returning to Judaism. The thesis which the writer makes, in the effort to prevent such apostasy, is that Christ’s high priesthood is in all ways superior.

He begins by introducing Jesus as the Son of God, as Deity, and discusses his superiority to the angelic realm, his superiority to Moses, and then his superiority to the Aaronic priesthood that came under the Mosaic law. These Christians, although Jews, were living in the context of the mysticism of the Graeco-Roman world, and would probably be susceptible to the worship of the angelic host. Obviously, there was the influence of the strong Jewish tradition from which they had come.

The burden of the text is to show us why Jesus’ priesthood is in every way superior. The writer stresses that Jesus offered a once-and-for-all sacrifice that is absolutely perfect, thereby requiring no further sacrifices. With his atoning sacrifice Jesus actually has secured eternal redemption for all those whom the Father has given him, a statement consistent with Jesus’ own stated purpose of his ministry in John 6:37-40. The writer asserts that Christ brings many sons to glory as a result of his own perfection, and now calls them his own brothers, even saying “Here am I, and the children God has given me” (See Heb. 2:10-17). Thus through his sacrifice he secures eternal redemption, cleanses even the consciences of his people, extends the benefits of this sacrifice backwards in time to all those called under the first covenant as well as all God’s children to the end of time, ends the curse of guilt for his people, and makes his people holy and perfect forever (carefully read Heb. 9:11-10:18).

Such a high priest meets our needs, argues the writer (Heb. 7:26), because he was tempted in every way as we are, yet without succumbing to sin (Heb. 4:15-16). Obviously, with comparisons already made, neither the angelic hosts nor the Aaronic priesthood of the Mosaic law can meet our needs. Aaronic high priests must first offer sacrifices for themselves, for they also are sinners, and they must offer these sacrifices year after year (Heb. 9:6-10). Jesus has not only offered the perfect sacrifice, based on his perfect life of obedience, a sacrifice to end all sacrifices, but he also intercedes for us regularly (Heb. 10:1-14, 5:8-9, 7:25). Indeed, His is a covenant with better promises (Heb. 8:6)!

The writer urges his readers to hold on to this hope, this assurance, this belief that God will fulfill his promise to us based on the perfect work of His Son (Heb. 6:16-20, 10:19-25, 10:35). The motivation these Christians would have to remain faithful to Christ is an understanding of what Christ had done for them.

There are stark warnings in this letter, especially in the third, sixth, and tenth chapters, that would suggest that a Christian can lose his salvation. Certainly, the warnings mean what they say and must be taken seriously. The writer intended that these warnings awaken these people to the severity of their weakness, but he appends his observation that they really are saved people and will eventually do that which accompanies salvation, persevere to the end (Heb. 6:9, 10:39).