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The Citizen, 2019-06-06, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019. PAGE 17. By Jason Hovius Brussels Community Bible Chapel If one could call any book of the Bible more important than another, the book of Hebrews would be a prime candidate. It so persuasively ties the whole message of the Bible together by explaining the relationship between the old and new covenants, or as we often call them, the Old and New Testaments. These two covenants are very different, but not contradictory. The well-known rhyme by Saint Augustine explains it so succinctly: “The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed”. Twice in Hebrews we read that the Old Testament law is a shadow of the realities that we find in the New Testament (Heb. 8:5, 10:1). We don’t know a lot about the author of Hebrews. Many have conjectured it to be Paul, but others have suggested Barnabas or Apollos, who were early New Testament Christians familiar with the Old Testament. One thing is certain; the author was not unknown to the recipients. They knew exactly who had written this letter (see Heb. 13:19). About the readers we can make some credible assumptions. They seem to be Jewish Christians who are weary and discouraged, due at least in part to persecution (Heb. 10:33-34, 12:4). Perhaps the culture around them was pressuring them to turn back to Judaism or to forsake religion altogether. The author is attempting to stimulate and encourage them to press on. We all need that motivation sometimes! Difficulties in life can so quickly hurl a ton of cruelty and pain at us and make us wonder if we will ever recover. Sometimes we look at our lives and we can’t find value anymore. Like Peter in the Sea of Galilee, we think about the raging waves and forget about the Lord of the sea. This is why in the book of Hebrews there is such a strong case for the supremacy of Jesus Christ. What better encouragement is there than to hear that Jesus has more value than anything else? Jesus is greater than . . . Jesus > angels Without doubt, angels have power and privilege, but ultimately they are just servants of God. The Greek word from which we derive the word “angel” simply means “messenger”. From anecdotes throughout the Bible, we see how effective they are in this role. However, Jesus has been given a name and position that is superior to the name or title of any angelic being. He is called a “Son” by God the Father himself, and his position at God’s right hand on an eternal throne clinches it. The author to the Hebrews even uses an Old Testament quote that says, “Let all God’s angels worship him [Jesus]” (Heb. 1:7). Can we do any less? I am reminded of an old hymn by Joseph Grigg that I learned when I was young: Lord Jesus, can it ever be, A mortal man ashamed of thee? Ashamed of thee, whom angels praise, Whose glories shine through endless days? Jesus > Moses Moses was highly respected by the nation of Israel, thanks to his instrumental role in delivering Israel out of Egypt and in the giving of the law at Sinai. Almost 1500 years after Moses’ death, the apostle John finds the need to repeatedly remind readers of the supremacy of Jesus over Moses. Starting in John 1:17, he wrote, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Almost every subsequent chapter in John’s gospel continues with the comparison. In two simple parallel sentences, the book of Hebrews uses two words to draw attention to Christ’s superiority over Moses. Hebrews 3:5-6 describe both of them as faithful to God. However, Moses is described as a faithful servant in God’s house. An honourable mention, to be sure. But the greater honour goes to Jesus, who is described as a faithful son over God’s house. Jesus > Levitical priesthood The bulk of Hebrews deals with a comparison of Judaism’s temple worship and Jesus Christ’s high priestly work. Christ is presented as better in every respect, including the following: • The quality of the offering: The daily sacrificing of animals could not take away sin, but Jesus’ blood paid for sin “once for all”. • The character of the offeror: Old Testament priests needed to first offer sacrifices for their own sins. However, Jesus required no substitute for his own sin, because he was sinless. • The place of offering: The temple and tabernacle were merely a picture of God’s eternal dwelling place in heaven, where Jesus entered after accomplishing his priestly work. • The results: Thanks to Jesus’ precious blood, access was granted to God’s holy presence, represented by the splitting of the curtain in front of the most holy place in the temple. Is there anyone as great as Jesus Christ? Go ahead and read the first chapter in Hebrews. You will see that Jesus himself is called the word of God, the Creator, the Sustainer, and the “radiance of God’s glory”. One verse even refers to him as ‘God’ and several verses speak of his unchanging and eternal nature From the Minister’s Study Jesus is greater than anything else: Hovius THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N. huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 519-526-1131 ~ 119 John’s Ave., Auburn Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jr. & Sr. YOUTH (Gr. 7-12) Fri. June 7, 7 p.m. Youth Campfire Evening at R&A Campbell’s Evangelical Missionary Church 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Pastor Ernest Dow - “Skeptical of the Spirit: Surplus--or Essential?” (Rom.8:1-16) Sunday June 9 - PENTECOST OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday ~ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm blythunited@tcc.on.ca Communion with Sandra Cable Accessible Sunday, June 9 Worship Service at 11:00 am Blyth United Church Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, June 9 at 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. For additional details please contact Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Coming Soon! VBS July 1-5 for ages 5-12 ~ 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. BRUSSELS United Church Sunday, June 9 Worship Service at 9:30 am Communion and Baptism Worship leader, Sandra Cable All are Welcome MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, JUNE 9 Nursery care available 519-887-6687 Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ~ Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville’s basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Worship & Sunday School - 9:30 am Coffee & Snacks following the service We invite you to join our church family in: Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship The Regional Ministry of Hope BLYTH BRUSSELS Trinity St. John’s 9:15 am 11:15 am COME WORSHIP WITH US! Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope St. Paul’s Trinity WINGHAM 11:15 am These Anglican Churches Welcome You Continued on page 19