Out of all the chapters in this book, by far this is the one that has the most writing in my copy of the book! Jesus as being our Great High Priest is very applicable in my life right now, and it is reassuring to know that He is mine.
1. Trials. How many of us have never encountered a trial in our life? These trials look differently for each person, but just in case you need some ideas: death, financial hardship, loss of job, rejection by friends, being the target of gossip, saying something you’ll regret, burning dinner, infertility, children with struggles whether physically, socially, or mentally, getting along with others, moves… need I continue? What is our reaction to those struggles? Just now I was thinking how hard submission is. Jesus had to submit. He found it difficult (prayer in the Garden), yet He submitted.
2. Encouragement in Hardship. Pages 58-59 of this book should provide a believer, YOU, with great encouragement when facing any hardship – if you choose to look there. I’m not saying you never speak about your trials or your discouragements. The past few months have been difficult for me as I’ve been trying to learn wisdom in what I write, keeping much of it inside me. But, in all things, I need to be encouraged and persuaded to look to Christ. The book of Hebrews is such a little book that needs to be re-read often with new eyes. A former pastor, Andrew Davis of FBC Durham, preached an entire sermon series through every verse of Hebrews. I only caught the last year, but man, such impactful wisdom in that book and hope for the hurting. Also the Reformed Expository Commentary is one that you need to pick up if you are doing a study through this in depth book.
3. Bondage Breaker. Do you know that Jesus is your bondage breaker? He’s my bondage breaker! I no longer have to be enslaved to sin because Jesus freed me from it. He paid my debt and made me free! We can either listen to our sin and continue to be enslaved, or we can look to the One who has freed us! Are you enslaved to: fear of man, overeating, body images, perfectionism – you name it. What are you enslaved to, and how can you look to Jesus and accept the freedom He has already offered you?!
4. Forgiveness of others. Jesus was rejected by men yet still chose to die for the ones His Father gave Him. He was spat upon, beaten, laughed at, ridiculed, lied about, gossiped about, and still He said Father forgive them. As I’ve been thinking about what forgiveness looks like: yes, do you need to forgive? Absolutely. What we have been given we also need to give to others. Since we have been given it, we have no gospel-right to not forgive. But…does the relationship with the person need to look the same? If there is a person who has verbally abused you, yes, you should forgive, but no, you shouldn’t continue to subject yourself to that abuse. If you have loaned money to a person and they’ve not paid you back, forgive them? Yes. But loan more money to them in an unwise manner? Probably not. In all situations, pray for wisdom, ask for biblical counsel, act upon the Word…God will give you wisdom.
