|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 17, 2009 10:32:20 GMT -8
Post your comments/ questions/ discussion starters on Hebrews 4:1- 5:11 as replies to this post.
Help prepare the teaching!
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 17, 2009 16:36:46 GMT -8
My observations on the reading for this week.
Most enheartening verses:
Hebrews 4:15-16
15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Once again, like last week's "like his brothers in every way", that "every way" pops up as a reminder that we have a sympathetic mediator between us and God.
Most challenging:
Hebrews 4:12
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
I note also that Christians are pretty used to thinking about the Bible when they read the above passage (word of God=the Bible), yet the passage seems to me to be more about Jesus- the judge of humanity (word of God=Jesus). Not that the two concepts should be pitted against each other or anything, but I think it's important to remember that the word of God isn't just conceptual, it's personal.
Most theologically dicey:
Hebrews 5:8-9
8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
We talked about this a bit last week, but this deserves attention. These ideas, I daresay, rub against the grain of typical thinking about Jesus.
|
|
|
|
Post by Margot on Feb 22, 2009 14:43:34 GMT -8
Okay, so as usual I am a little behind the rest of the crowd here  ...I want to go back to the verses that really jump out at me from the last lesson, which are 2:14-15. A few years ago, I worked on these as memory verses. (Wish I could say I got good at them, but memory is not my thing...) Nevertheless, they hold great meaning for me because I think they go right to the heart of so many actions taken by Christians and non-Christians alike. So many things are done as the direct result of being enslaved all life-long to the fear of death! Not even death itself, but the horrible years of dread that lead up to it. It absolutely amazes me to think that Christ provided for that too--death AND the fear of it. Farther down in 4:12, I also love how it talks about the power of the Word. Just that whole idea that the Word is alive and able to judge, never fails to overwhelm me. What did you guys talk about in church today? |
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 22, 2009 20:59:24 GMT -8
Yeah, I wanna know too! Rose and I were gone this week ;D They were probably delving into all kinds of heresy today... you know, when the cat's away.....  |
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 24, 2009 17:42:39 GMT -8
So, in reviewing this passage, I'm curious if you guys discussed what the "rest of God" in this passage means?
|
|
|
|
Post by Margot on Feb 24, 2009 22:37:09 GMT -8
Hmmm...does the fact that no one is saying anything mean they all just went out to breakfast and bagged church?? (Fleshing out that "cat's away" theory, you know...)  |
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 25, 2009 19:54:40 GMT -8
I think you're right |
|
|
|
Post by christopher on Feb 26, 2009 20:36:40 GMT -8
I essentially take "entering God's rest" as the spiritual counterpart (fulfillment) of the Israelites entering into Canaan. The wandering, striving, struggling, and nomadic life is over and there only remains the peace and security of living in God's kingdom.
Trusting in Christ is like being home.
Was there something else you wanted to share with us on this?
|
|
