We cannot aspire to him (God) in earnest until we have begun to be displeased with ourselves. For what man is not disposed to rest in himself? Calvyn
Jesus Christus is gister en vandag dieselfde en tot in ewigheid (Hebreërs 13:8)
Daar is drie belangrike implikasies opgesluit in hierdie stelling oor Christus.
For (such is our innate pride) we always seem to ourselves just, and upright, and wise, and holy, until we are convinced, by clear evidence, of our injustices, vileness, folly and impurity. Convinced, however we are not, if we look to ourselves only, and not to the Lord also – Calvyn
Die hoëpriesterskap van Christus is ‘n tema wat ons gereeld in die Hebreër-brief kry. Verskeie aspekte hiervan word beklemtoon.
The invisible and incomprehensible essence of God, to a certain extent, is made visible in his works. It is plain that the Lord has furnished every man with abundant proofs of his wisdom – Calvyn
Die kerk (6)
Ben Witherington III skryf ‘n artikel oor die anti-kerk retoriek wat vandag so algemeen is. Ons stel vandag graag die kerk teenoor Jesus of die kerk as instelling teenoor organiese modelle – huiskerke, ens. So kry ons die “ek is geestelik, maar nie godsdienstig nie” beweging of “ek het Jesus, maar nie die kerk lief beweging.”
A golden coffin will be a poor compensation for a damned soul. —C.H. Spurgeon
Die skrywer van die Hebreër-brief gee vir ons “eenvoudige” opsommings van God se verlossingsplan. Een so ‘n opsomming kry ons in 9:24 – 28. Hy gebruik drie maal die woord verskyn om na drie gebeurtenisse in die bediening van Jesus Christus te verwys.