featured scripture-block
In a previous time God spoke to man through the prophets, but now (“these last days”) He has spoken through His son, Jesus Christ. Additionally, God appointed Him heir of all things and through Him created the world.
Opening to the letter of Hebrews, written to Jews that had believed and obeyed the gospel. The writer is beginning his argument and evidence for why everything is better in Jesus by pointing to the prophets (and angels) that had, in times past, delivered God’s message.
the bible truth on Jesus
Jesus made three direct statements about His mission on earth (which was God’s mission13). First, He said He came to “seek and to save the lost”3. This is possibly the most well-known fact about His mission. He was the remedy for sin12,15, culminating in His death, burial, and resurrection10. The salvation aspect of His mission is repeated and reiterated several times in Scripture in various ways2,5,6, including Jesus’ own analogy of Himself to a door and a shepherd11.
Second, Jesus said that He came to “bear witness to the truth”1. Specifically, He ushered in the gospel of the kingdom of God9. The words He spoke were from the Father (John 17:14-17) which He embodied12 by becoming flesh (John 1:1,14). This is highlighted when Jesus says He came not to bring peace but a sword4 and when Paul says the Old Law was nailed to the cross7. It was a fulfilling all that had been communicated by God to that point14 and freeing us from fleshly sin to live in/with His Spirit12.
Third, Jesus said He came “for judgment”8…which links to the first two. Jesus came to judge all mankind8 against the truth1,9 of God’s word. Those that accept/believe Him (e.g. enter through “the door”11) receive eternal salvation2,3,8,10.
Jesus was asked this exact question by His disciples1 and we have a rare instance in which Jesus gives a direct answer to a direct question. His reason was not that it was an “effective teaching method” or because it would make it “memorable” or “easy to understand.” In fact, it was just the opposite1,4. The disciples needed to ask what they meant2,7 and later, Jesus would actually contrast the practice with speaking “plainly about the Father”3.
The message of the kingdom is hidden1,5 for those that are not truly listening2 for it (or, as other Scripture puts it, seeking it). Teaching in parables (or figures of speech3) was Jesus’ practice7 as a prophet of God6 in order to distinguish those that were truly seeking truth4. This was consistent with how God spoke through His prophets of old8.
The words of Scripture are in fact the words of God – all of them, regardless of who spoke them1,4. It’s not that Jesus or the apostles were speaking/teaching something different from person to person, but that they all were united in, and messengers of, the words of God (and it was the same with the prophets — speaking God’s literal word). All disciples, regardless of who taught them2,3,4,5, are to continue in God’s word. Jesus Himself5 removes any doubt that we are to give special “weight” to who spoke them.
getting to the truth on Jesus is pretty important
don’t you agree?
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Did Jesus bring peace on earth?
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Will there be a literal one-thousand-year reign?
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What was Jesus’ mission on earth?
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Why did Jesus teach in parables?
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