Today’s selected reading continues in and concludes the New Testament epistle written unto the Hebrews. More specifically today’s passages is found in the thirteenth chapter. “Let brothers love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriages is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let you conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and stranger doctrines. For it is good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, who blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey them that have the ruler over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may restored to you the sooner” (Hebrews 13:1-19).

 

            “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. And I beseech you brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-25).

 

            When you come to the thirteenth chapter of the epistle written unto the Hebrews you will find the epistle itself drawing to a close. The thirteenth chapter of this particular epistle is the final chapter contained within it and offers practical instruction and admonition unto the readers and audience. Thus far throughout the epistle the author has sought to convey the person of the Lord Jesus Christ as being vastly supreme and better in every possible area. Throughout this epistle the author sought to present the Lord Jesus Christ as the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God who did in fact walk in full and complete obedience, faithfulness, humility and submission to the Father. It is impossible to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and not come face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding Jesus coming in the flesh and taking upon Himself the form of a servant in this world for the purpose of temptation, for the purpose of suffering and for the purpose of death. Within and throughout this epistle we encounter and come face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ and how He took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood that He might walk in obedience before the eternal Father which sits upon the throne in heaven. It was the apostle John who would write in the first and opening chapter of his gospel narrative that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us—something we must needs recognize and understand when seeking to understand the epistle written unto the Hebrews.

 

            If you take the time to read the words which are found in this particular epistle you will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding Jesus as the Son who was indeed faithful according to the will and council of the living and eternal God. With this being said we must also recognize and understand that the Son was the ultimate authority, voice and Word of the eternal Father which was in heaven. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of when reading the epistle written unto the Hebrews for within this epistle we find the author painting a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as being far greater, far more wonderful, far superior and far more beautiful than anything else in heaven, in the earth and under the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for when reading the epistle written unto the Hebrews we must needs understand and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as being the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father who was made a little lower than the angels having taken upon Himself the form of flesh and blood. It was because He took upon Himself the form of human flesh and blood He was able to display humility, obedience and bus mission to the divine will of the Father in the earth. It was the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah who prophesied concerning the Lord Jesus Christ in the seventh, ninth and fifty-third chapters of the prophetic book bearing his name and we would be incredibly wise to recognize and understand the language that is contained within these passages of Scripture. I would also suggest the words which the prophet Isaiah prophesied in the forty-second chapter of this Old Testament prophetic book must be considered as well that we might truly understand the divine mission and assignment of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God:

 

            “Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD! Then he said, Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings. The LORD will bring the king of Assyria upon you and your people and your father’s house—days that have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah” (Isaiah 7:10-17).

 

            “Nevertheless the blood will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before you according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For you have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His boulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:1-7).

 

            “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My elect one in whom my soul delights! I have put my Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for his law. Thus says God the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the LORD, that is my name; and my glory I will not give to another, nor my praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them” (Isaiah 42:1-9).

 

            “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form nor comeliness; and when we see Him, There is not beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from him; he was despised and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare his generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people He was strikcen. And they made His grace with the wicked—but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When you make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of his soul, and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous Servant shall justify man, for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:1-12).

 

            Each of these passages call and draw our attention to the prophetic words which were spoken through Isaiah concerning the coming Messiah and Christ. Within these passages are incredibly powerful language concerning the eternal and only begotten Son who I would dare say no prophet nor even Moses Himself knew would be the eternal Son of the living God. The prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning the coming Messiah and Christ and that He would be the Servant of the Most High God, however, when we come to the New Testament gospels we learn and discover that this Servant of the LORD God would indeed be His Son who would come in the flesh. It would be the apostle Paul in the epistle written unto the saints which were at Philippi, the apostle John in the first chapter of his gospel narrative, and the words which the author of the epistle unto the Hebrews wrote in the first and second chapter that bring us face to face with the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God laying aside the glory He had with the Father and taking upon Himself the form of flesh and blood. Even before He would open blinded eyes, even before he opened deaf ears, even before he loosed tongues and opened mouths, even before he cast out unclean spirits and demons, even before He cleansed the lepers and caused the lame to walk He already had the testimony and witness that He pleased the Father which was in heaven. This is something we must needs recognize and understand, however, before we delve into each of these passages there is another passage found in the prophetic book of Isaiah which speaks to the anointing of the Messiah and Christ during the days of His generation in which He came in the form of human flesh and blood:

 

            “The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1-3).

 

            The words which we find in this passage of Scripture were read by Jesus while He was in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. It would be there in the synagogue of Galilee Jesus would read these words from the prophetic writing of Isaiah and would emphatically declare how on that day these words were fulfilled within their hearing. Luke writes and records how at the Jordan River the Holy Spirit descended in the bodily form of a dove and rested upon the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Luke also writes and records how after Jesus was baptized He was filled with the Holy Spirit and would return from the Jordan before being led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Within the opening verses of the fourth chapter of the gospel narrative written by Luke—not only do we find Jesus returning from the Jordan filled with the Holy Spirit but we also find that same Holy Spirit leading Him into the wilderness that He might be tempted of the devil. After Jesus overcame the devil and his temptations in the wilderness Luke writes how Jesus returned from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful surrounding the presence of the person and power of the Holy Spirit within the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus returned from the Jordan filled with the Holy Spirit and Jesus would return from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. It would be there in Galilee—specifically in Nazareth His hometown—Jesus would emphatically declare that the prophetic words of the prophet Isaiah concerning the anointing of the Holy Spirit were fulfilled in their hearing. By making this declaration Jesus was in fact declaring that the Spirit of Sovereign LORD was upon Him and had anointed Him for a very specific purpose and assignment within the earth.

 

            With all of this being said I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to consider the passages previously mentioned concerning Jesus. Each of the passages previously mentioned bring us face to face with the incredible reality that Jesus laid aside the glory which He had with the Father from the beginning that He might take upon Himself the form of flesh and blood. Jesus would lay aside the glory He had with the Father from the beginning that He might take upon Himself the form of flesh and blood for the purpose of suffering and for the purpose of death. What’s more is I would dare say the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome provide us with additional language concerning the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we want to truly understand the words which are found in the New Testament epistle written unto the Hebrews we must needs read and understand them from the vantage point of the obedience, the submission, the surrender and the humility of the Son. It is when we recognize and understand the obedience of the Son to the Father—even before He took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood—we begin to understand the words and language which the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews desired us to know and recognize concerning the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God. I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to recognize and pay attention to these passages for they help us to not only understand the obedience and humility of the Son but also how the obedience of the Son allows Him to minister before the Father in the heavens as our faithful High Priest:

 

            “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through Him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word be made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me. And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:1-18).

 

            It is in the first chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find the apostle writing of Jesus that He was the Word which was not only in the beginning, was not only in the beginning with God, was not only in the beginning was God but also became flesh and dwelt among us. It was because the Word became flesh and dwelt among us that we were able to behold His glory—the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. What’s more is that if you read the words which are found in the first chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will find his presenting the witness of Jesus of Nazareth after baptizing Him in the waters of the Jordan River. Moreover if you read the words which are found in the third chapter you will find another witness of John the Baptist concerning the Lord Jesus when He emphatically declared that He was not the Messiah nor the Christ, when He declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God which took away the sins of the world and when He declared of Jesus that He must increase while He Himself decreased. These words must be carefully understood for they help us to truly understand the divine mission and assignment of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God within and upon the earth. Having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first and third chapters of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John:

 

            “Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed and did not deny, but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? And he answered, No. Then they said to him, Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the LORD, as the prophet Isaiah said. Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him, saying, Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who coming after me is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing” i(John 1:19-28).

            “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel therefore I came baptizing with water. And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-34).

 

            “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judaea, and there He remained with them and baptized. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into prison. Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him! John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, I have been sent before Him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the fire of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:22-36).

 

            Each of these passages of Scripture must be carefully considered and given a good amount of attention for they call and draw us into the place where we recognize the divine and eternal nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. The words which we find in these passages of Scripture demonstrate the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus and how he was indeed the Word which became flesh and dwelt among us that we might behold the glory of the Father in the Son. What’s more is that Jesus came into the flesh as the Lamb of God which would take away the sin of the world—take away the sin of the world by being the sinless and spotless Lamb who was sacrificed and slain upon the cross. It would offering and sacrificing His own life that He would indeed be able to make propitiation and atonement for our sins that we might be restored in right fellowship and communion with the eternal Father which is in heaven. This is something which warrants strong consideration within our hearts and spirits for it brings us face to face with the truth that Jesus was indeed the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God, however, as the Son he would also be the sacrifice which would be offered upon the cross for our sins. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for how we live our lives must be in response to the work which the Lord Jesus Christ performed upon the cross—and not only upon the cross but also when He descended into the lower parts of the earth and descended into the depths of Hades and Sheol itself. It was the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God who took upon Himself the form of human flesh and blood that He might suffer in the flesh and experience death that He might not only be the sacrifice and offering but might also be the High Priest who ministers the blood of the sacrifice. Oh it is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the epistles written by the apostle Paul unto the saints of Rome and Philippi as well as the words which are found in this epistle written unto the Hebrews:

 

            “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, The man who does those things shall live by them. But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down from above) or, Who will descend into the abyss? (That is, to bring Christ up from the dead.) But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, LORD, who has believed our report? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish. Nation. But Isaiah is very bold and says: I was found by those who did not seek me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me. But to Israel he says: All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient people” (Romans 10:1-21).

 

            “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservants, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:1-11).

 

            “For he has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captivating of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: I will declare your name yo my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to you. And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Here am I am the children whom God has given me. Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:5-18).

 

            These passages which were just presented paint the powerful picture of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God laying aside the glory He had with the Father that He might take upon Himself the form of flesh and blood. It would be in the form of flesh and blood He would not only taste and experience temptation as we do but might also experience suffering in the flesh. When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane and found the disciples sleeping he emphatically declared unto them how the flesh was weak but the spirit was willing. What we must needs recognize concerning this is that the flesh which Jesus took upon Himself wasn’t somehow supercharged with the divine nature and therefore exempt and immune from experiencing hurt, pain, suffering and those things which we experience. What’s more is that while it is indeed true that Jesus came in the form of the Son of God He was still one hundred percent and fully human. This is something we must needs recognize and understand when reading the words found in these passages of Scripture for when Jesus came to the earth and took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood that flesh was subject to weakness, subject to frailty, subject to hurt, subject to pain and the same things we ourselves experience. When Jesus spoke of the flesh being weak I am convinced that he was speaking of His own flesh which He took upon Himself. What’s more is that when Jesus took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood He was subjecting Himself to an earthly tent that was subjected to the same elements that we ourselves experience and face within this life. Although He would move in the eternal power of the Holy Spirit His flesh was indeed subjected to the same weakness which our own flesh is subjected to day after day so long as we are in these earthly tabernacles and tents.

 

            The more you read the words which are found in the epistle written unto the Hebrews the more you can and will encounter the incredible truth concerning Jesus and how He took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood that He might suffer in the flesh—and not only suffer in the flesh but also experience temptation in the flesh. It would be because Jesus took upon Himself the form of human flesh and blood that he is able to be our faithful and merciful High Priest. In fact the more you read this epistle written unto the Hebrews the more you can and will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ and how He is able to serve in the heavens as our faithful High Priest because He took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood. It was in that flesh and blood He experienced suffering, temptation, weakness, pain, and even death that he might uphold, strengthen and support us within and throughout this life. Within the epistle written unto the Hebrews we learn two distinct truths concerning Jesus of Nazareth as a direct result of His coming in the form of flesh and blood. The first is that He is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven and the second is that he is faithfully serving as our High Priest in the sight and presence of the living God. It was the apostle Paul who wrote in the epistle written unto the saints of Rome that the eternal and only begotten Son together with the Holy Spirit live to make intercession for us. This is something which we must needs recognize and consider for when we think about our response to the words presented in the epistle written unto the Hebrews we encounter the truth surrounding Jesus as our faithful and merciful High Priest. It is because Jesus is indeed our faithful and merciful High Priest we are able to live our lives in direct response to Him.

 

            Having said this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ being seated at the right hand of the Father as well as Jesus faithfully ministering as our great High Priest. Jesus serving as our faithful High Priest is something which we must needs recognize and understand for we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in every way tempted as we ourselves are and have been. The more you read the words which are found in the epistle written unto the Hebrews the more you can and will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding how we ought to live in light of the work which Jesus did while in the flesh as well as in light of the work which Jesus is still doing as our faithful and merciful High Priest in the heavens. There is a great need to recognize and understand this for we must needs live our lives in direct response to the work and ministry Jesus took upon Himself while on the earth as well as His being set down at the right hand of the Father which is in heaven and His role as our faithful and merciful High Priest. With this in mind I invite you to first consider the references found within this epistle concerning Jesus being seated at the right hand of the Father which is in heaven and is seated upon the throne:

 

            “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:1-4).

 

            “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also a mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:1-6).

 

            “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them, then He adds, Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer and offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:11-18).

 

 

            “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

 

            Having considered the following words which describe and speak of the Lord Jesus being seated at the right hand of the Father which is in heaven I find it absolutely necessary to call your attention to the words which are found in this epistle concerning His role, His office and His ministry as the faithful and merciful High Priest. There is not a doubt in my mind that to truly understand the words which are found in the epistle written unto the Hebrews we must understand the Lord Jesus as being our faithful and merciful High Priest. Even though He on the cross emphatically declared “It is finished” and even though He would sit down at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens it must be understood that there was indeed a work and ministry which He would engage with in the heavens. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ as our faithful and merciful High Priest who suffered and was temped in the flesh and therefore can sympathize with our weaknesses, with our temptations, with our struggles and with those things which we face within this life. We as the saints of God and the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ must needs acknowledge and understand that Jesus’ coming in the form of flesh and blood allowed Him to suffer in the flesh and taste and experience death once and for all. What’s more is that when Jesus ascended unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven He did not leave the scars of His suffering behind in the flesh and blood he possessed upon the earth. I am convinced that when the Lord Jesus ascended unto the right hand of the Father in heaven He ascended with the scars of His suffering—with the print of the nails which pierced His hands and His feet as well as the print from the spear which pierced His seed. Jesus is our faithful and merciful High Priest who is seated at the right hand of the Father which in heaven and Jesus did in fact carry the scars of His suffering which are a constant witness in the heaven of heavens as He serves as our faithful High Priest. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and His role and ministry as our faithful and merciful High Priest:

 

            “Therefore in all things He had to be made like his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).

 

            “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His House. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:1-4).

 

            “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

 

            “For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: You are my Son, Today I have begotten you. As He also says in another place: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek; who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:1-11).

 

            “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the vile, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:19-20).

 

            “And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: The LORD has sworn and will not relent, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek), by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever” (Hebrews 7:20-28).

 

            “Therefore, brethren, having godliness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:19-25).

 

            In light of Christ being seated at the right hand of the Father which is in heaven and in light of His being our faithful and merciful High Priest who has passed into the heavens we must live our lives in response to such truths. Within the epistle written unto the Hebrews we do find an incredible amount of truth concerning Jesus of Nazareth as being the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father who took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood. In this epistle we find powerful language concerning the Lord Jesus being seated at the right hand of the Father after suffering in the flesh, after being tempted, after offering Himself as a sacrifice and after making atonement and propitiation for our sins. It is there in the heaven of heavens the Lord Jesus Christ serves as our faithful High Priest who ministers a new and better covenant than what we find in the Old Testament—that which was experienced by the patriarchs and the saints of old. Jesus Christ is indeed the mediator and minister of a new and living covenant in which the Law of the living God is written upon our hearts and in which we can come boldly before the throne of grace. Within this epistle are powerful invitations and exhortations given unto the readers and audience to be such who live their lives in direct response to Christ being seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven and Christ serving as our faithful and merciful High Priest. This is something which we as the saints of God must needs understand for it calls our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the responsibility we have to Christ and how we are to live in response to His sacrifice and offering as well as to the ministry He has in the heavens as the faithful High Priest. It is with this in mind I leave you with the following words which are found in this epistle concerning the instruction for how we are to live our lives and conduct ourselves in response to the work and ministry of our Lord Jesus:

 

            “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (Hebrews 2:1-4).

 

            “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:1-3).

 

            “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great high priest who passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:11-16).

 

            “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits” (Hebrews 6:1-3).

 

            “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:19-25).

 

            “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

 

            “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:12-17).

 

“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, Yet once more, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:25-29).