Hebrews

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a Digging Deep trip planned for next May to the places where our Lord walked while here on earth. Second only to the trip I will make with the angels to glory one day, this is likely the most exciting trip I’ll ever make. Kate Hudgens and I will be doing the May podcast from the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. (That gives me chill-bumps already.) Several of you are signed up to go, but there are just a handful of slots still available. It occurs to me that we have many new ladies in the study this year who may not have heard about this timely journey to the Bible lands. If you would like the details of this trip check out this page: https://www.biblelandpassagetours.com/biblelandpassagetoursdiggingdeep. And, if you’d like to go, hurry and send in your registration and deposit fee. 

It was a blessing to speak in Sanford, North Carolina this weekend. The sisterhood in Christ is one of the richest joys in my life. When I walk into auditoriums where I scarcely know anyone, the amazing bond that we already share through Jesus always shocks and blesses me anew. There are just things that we can assume about each other and kindnesses that we expect because we all have magnified Him in our lives and we are all patterning our behavior after the same divine example: the Word that became flesh. I cannot tell you how comforting that is when there are few or no familiar faces. 

Another thing that was extremely encouraging was that moment in the lesson when I asked if there were any ladies in the audience who had done the Digging Deep study and I truly believe that fully half the women in attendance had participated or are currently studying Authority with us.  That made for the kind of bond that can get us talking about the scriptures during the breaks; about the Christ and how He was the only candidate for our propitiation, giving up that authoritative place in heaven to show us divine authority while on earth even as He submitted to the cross in obedience. He was the only one Who could show authority (through fulfillment of prophecy, granting a soul entrance to Paradise, causing the earth to quake and darkness to veil the earth, etc…) while also fully submitting in perfect obedience. “Though he were a son (authority), yet learned he obedience (submission) by the things which he suffered” Hebrews 5:8 (Parenthetical notes mine—CC).

One of the things that’s great about digging in the Word with so many is that you keep me on my toes. In Sanford, there was a sister who approached me and said “Didn’t you promise that you would list for us, on your blog, the characterizations of Christ? We’ve been waiting for those.”

And so I did. So here’s the first installment of those characteristics as I listed them. Keep in mind, though, that your list may well be more accurate or more complete than is mine. 

Have a great November and, as you think about thankfulness, pause to thank Him for our study together. He was/is so providential in giving us this fellowship in study.

And now the list. Here’s chapter 2, for starters, since chapter 1 was already listed in the study as an example.

Characterizations of Christ from Hebrews

Chapter 2: 

verse:

2—Spokesman for the great salvation

5—Ruler of the world to come                                               

7—Wearer of the glory and honor crown

8—Ruler of all things

9—Subject to lower place than angels

9—Taster of death for every man

10—One for whom all things exist

10—One by whom all things exist

10—Transporter of many to glory

10—Captain of salvation

10—Perfect one

11—Sanctifier

11—One who is unashamed to call us brethren

12—Singer of Praise

14—Partaker of flesh and blood

14—Destroyer of Satan

15—Deliverer of those in bondage

16—Giver of help to Abraham’s seed

17—One in similitude (likeness) of His brethren

17—Merciful and faithful high priest

17—Reconciler for sinners

18—Sufferer who was tempted

18—Sucourer for the tempted

Chapter 3

1—Apostle of our profession

1—High priest of our profession

2—Faithful one to appointer

3—One worthy of more glory than Moses

3—House builder

6—Son of his own house

15—Voice we must hear.

Chapter 4

3—Owner of rest

14—Great high priest

14—Son of God

15—Subject of temptation in all points

15—Sinless one

Chapter 5

5—One glorified by God as priest

5—Begotten son of God

6—Priest forever after order of Melchizadek

7—One who prayed with crying and tears

7—Possessor of godly fear

8—Son

8—Learner of Obedience

8—Sufferer

9—Perfect one

10—Called one

10—Priest after order of Melchizadek