We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but are those of faith for the preservation of our souls. - Hebrews 10:39 (ESV)

There are many dangers in the Christian walk.

One of these dangers is to fade into unbelief and stagnation when we are confronted with suffering and difficulty. That's why the author of Hebrews encourages us to hold fast to our hope in Jesus and to continue in fellowship. Our hearts need one another because we need continual encouragement in Christ. We're reminded that the return of Christ in salvation and judgment is very near.

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? - Hebrews 10:1 –2 (ESV)

How good are you at making shadow puppets? You know that game where you manipulate your hands in front of a flashlight so the shadows resemble people or animals. It’s a fun game to see what you can make. I’m pretty good at a dog and an alien blob from outer space. Some ‘Shadow Artists’ are able to create some pretty amazing and intricate shadows (Incredible Works of Shadow Art), but we would never confuse these pale representations for the real thing. They share an outline but they can’t substitute for reality with its color, detail and texture.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. - Hebrews 10:19 –21 (ESV)

Many times it feels like theology is distant from our everyday lives. Discussions of the tripartite divisions of man or postmillennialism or the inter-trinitarian love of God can seem ethereal and lack any real life application. I’m sure you might have felt that way through the book of Hebrews. It provides details for some very difficult, distant subjects like the priesthood of Melchizedek or the nature of the new covenant.

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” - Hebrews 9:12 (ESV)

‘What did you do on your summer vacation?’

It’s the prompt that every middle or high schooler in their English class receives as the first assignment back from their summer break. In these essays, they regale the class with descriptions of adventures or trips to a theme park or times at the pool or vacations with the family.

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. - Hebrews 9:15 (ESV)

Let’s take a test.

Take a few minutes to read through the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:6-21 ). Give yourself a grade on how well you have done them this week. Did you pass? In case you might be unclear about the depths and details of the commands, check out Jesus’ explanation on the Commandments (Matthew 5:17-30 ). After that did you grade go up or down?

He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. - Hebrews 9:12 (ESV)

Why couldn't God wave his hand and remove our sin?