Hebrews 10:19-25 • Community
Hebrews 10:19-25
Jesus aims at the wAY WE RELATE WITH gOD.
In the gospel itself, God is taking aim at community. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is both our perfect sacrifice and our perfect priest. Why? Not only to drive home the point that we have an advocate in heaven who has forgiven us, but to make it clear that we now have a new way of relating with God himself!
Previously, God’s people couldn’t simply draw near to God as they were, wherever they were, whatever was going on. They needed to be made clean, washed, and purified by water and sacrifice first. They needed the temple where God lived. And even then, they needed to be a priest - and a certain kind of priest! - to pass through the temple curtains and draw near to his presence. But in Jesus, we have a new curtain and a new priest over a new house, and we’re cleared to draw near to God at all times with the full assurance that Christ has made us clean!
Have you ever felt “cut off” from God? Like you weren’t allowed to approach him, worthy of approaching him, or even wanted by him?
What made you think or feel that way? Are there sins that still plague your conscience? Are there parts of your story that make you feel unclean?
Why couldn’t you approach him while you still had those things? This is your old way of relating to God apart from Jesus!
What does this passage say about that? Where does our confidence to draw near to God - in private and in public; in the word and prayer; in church, in group, or anywhere else - come from?
Imagine if you didn’t think or feel the way you did / do. What would that new way of relating with God look like?
What freedom is God calling you into with him today?
Jesus aims at the way we relate with the church
The author of Hebrews then reminds us that the work of Jesus changes the way we relate with fellow believers. We no longer have a reason to be preoccupied with ceremonies, rituals, or our own status before the Lord. And this doesn’t free us up to think more about ourselves, but less. Instead, we get to consider our brothers and sisters more and more, seeking ways to provoke them - not to anger, but to love, good works, and an encouraged life.
What are you most preoccupied about before, during, and after you hang out with “church people?” Take a minute to think about it. It can be Sunday mornings, group gatherings, or any other scenario. What worries, fears, hopes, plans, etc. fill your mind and heart? What drives what you say and do - and whether or not you even decide to show up?!
How might those things center around you more than others? Is there an element of proving, protecting, or providing for yourself that’s part of the way you relate?
What if those things ceased to be an issue? How would that change the way you could relate with people?
How has Jesus been trying to be that approval, protection, and provision that you’re seeking in the way you relate with others?
The author of Hebrews says that purpose of gathering with the church is to build up other people. How does this challenge the way you think about gatherings (Sundays, groups, studies, etc.)?
What do the times we’re living in encourage people (inside and outside the church) to do? How is the world and culture teaching us to relate?
What difference does it make that we’re waiting for Jesus’ return? Why should this give us a sense of urgency in gathering, specifically to encourage and provoke one another to love and good works?
How kind of encouragement do the people around you in the church (groups, friendships, newcomers, etc.) need? How can you encourage them this week?