Faith

“ And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” ~ Hebrews 11:6

On my bookshelf is a book with the title, “The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses” by Vern Sheridan Poythress. It is a title that always reminds me of the Book of Hebrews in the Bible. The Book of Hebrews is a rich picture of how Jesus fulfills the Law of Moses and teaches us how to live in faith. When reading the Book of Hebrews, the reader is exposes to a wide variety of Old Testament practices and pictures. In the Book of Hebrews we see talk of priests, the Temple and Tabernacle, angels, and the sacrificial practices of the people of Israel. Using these familiar images, the writer of Hebrews helps us understand how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan for man. Jesus is the great High Priest who offers the sacrifice for the forgiveness of God’s people. Jesus is also the sacrifice Himself. He is the Lamb of God, the atonement for our rebellion and the cure for our sin-sickness. Jesus inhabits the Temple and the Tabernacle, He is the presence of God living among men. He is our guide and our light through the darkness of this world. Greater than the angels and the leader that supersedes even Moses, Jesus brings a message for man and gives us a law to live by.

In the Book of Hebrews we learn about justification, the atonement of Jesus that opens a path to God. We learn about sanctification, the process of being made holy through the power of Jesus at work in our lives. In the Book of Hebrews we learn about faith. How to know God, trust His plan and power at work in our lives, and how to move with Him.