If you have ever longed to take the place of an original disciple, just to be near and to see Jesus, rejoice because the epistle to the Hebrews fills this need. Today, Jesus is the same. Today, you can look as long as you desire, Today, you can see Jesus as the Holy Spirit sees Him.

Most Bible Memory Association campers have thrilled to Dr. Woychuk's pointed adaptation of the familiar hymn Take Time to be Holy. "Take time to behold Him, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word . . ." Today, is your day to behold Him. The Holy Spirit bids you to "tie your mind down to the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus" (3: 1, original para­phrase). If you do, you will reap 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Hebrews provides us with three important looks at Jesus which we will look at personally during this month:

1. A look into Jesus—to learn the uniqueness of His person (1:1-7:28);

2. A look on to Jesus—to learn the uniqueness of His priesthood (8:1-10:18);

3. A look unto Jesus—to learn the uniqueness of His practice (10:19-13 :25).

A believer who looks well into the nature of Jesus' person will look on to Jesus' priesthood and not stop at lesser religious curiosities, and thus this kind of believer will look unto Jesus and depend upon Him for the techniques and the enablements for the practice of Christian life. The importance of this logical, systematic, meditative exercise will break like dawn as the yielded heart involves itself with the epistle.

We cannot see what is not there; but we should see what is there. This matter of observation is often a matter of life and death. The Sunday School Times once told of a sizable lump of rock that lay in a North Carolina brook. To all but one passer-by it was a mere rock. This one saw in it an ample door stop for his cabin. A geologist took a second look and saw in the door stop the biggest gold nugget found east of the Rockies.

The years have recorded many men who have seen "sparks of divinity" in Jesus—more than in the average man. But, Hebrews 1:1-7:28 confronts man with the fact that "God" or "deity" is what is actually to be seen in Jesus. This is pointed out, by the Holy Spirit, in a series of contrasts drawn from real life.

Today we merely look at them survey-style, leaving the detail for the following devotional studies.

In chapter one we are looking at Jesus as the God who is above and greater than all of His creation (read verses 4, 6, 7, 8, 10-12). In chapter two He is seen incarnating Himself—adding perfect humanity so as to be the God-man. In chapter three Jesus is shown to have in Him all that Moses lacked and more. In chapter four, Jesus is contrasted to Joshua—only He can bring us into throne-room rest (4:16). In chap­ter five, Jesus is contrasted to Aaron—He alone is the author (5:9) of eternal salvation. In chapters six and seven Jesus is contrasted to Melchizedek.

In America, November is traditionally "election" time. The offices to which men are elected vary in importance. There is a vast difference also in the degrees of efficiency with which the officials execute their offices.

Jesus inherited three offices. They are the highest offices known to time or to eternity.

Christ executes the prophet's office. Until John the Baptist was through, God had spoken constantly to men (1:1) in varied ways but not one prophet told all or lived long enough to execute all of the prophet's office. Now and forevermore, Jesus is the only One to whom we must listen (2:1-4). God is not speaking anything through anyone else (this should end all confusion). Jesus is personally executing the Word of God right down to the minutest detail.

Christ executes the power office. Here (1:2b-3b) we learn that Jesus has the power to make His Word "stick." He, who once used His word to make the universe come into being and to program the ages which were to come to pass therein, is currently bearing all things along by the mere utterance of His power. There is no power higher or more striking in its might. What He begins, He will complete for He will be around forever to power these things into completeness. His power can speak to every situation of yours today—successfully.

Christ executes the priest's office. In Hebrews 1:3 two important points lie in the original text: (1) As priest, Jesus sacrificed the only perfect and efficacious sacrifice—Himself; (2) After completing the sacrifice of Himself, He sat down to execute the priestly power of this, His finished work.

Hebrews 1:4-14 informs us that Jesus Christ is a higher Being than any other created being or thing. He Himself is uncreated and the Creator of all.

His name is superior (1:4). Observe what Jesus is called in this first chapter:

1. Son of God—v. 5 twice,

2. God—v. 8,

3. Lord—v. 10.

Men have eagerly grasped for the backing of angels (i.e., the angel Moroni in Mormonism), but angels are simply messengers (1:7, 14) and ministers who worship Jesus and from His presence go to minister to the heirs of salvation. Of course, the evil angels are not in view in this passage. The greatest evil angel, the devil, wants to be called "god" (Matt. 4:8-11) and in fact plays "god" (2 Cor. 4:4) to the unbelieving world. But there is only One who can rightly bear the name of "God," and Jesus is that One.

His nature is superior. This follows from what has been revealed above:

1. Jesus was brought into the world from somewhere else (i.e., heaven)-1:6;

2. Beside His eternal pre-existence already set forth, is His eternal future existence-1:8;

3. He receives worship from angels-1:6;

4. He is a King with eternal authority-1:8;

5. He is perfectly fair in exercising authoritative judgment-1:8;

6. He was able to create the universes-1:10-12;

7. He is able to sit in eternity's highest seat-1:13.

None of the angels have the capacity (nature) for these things. The God of all things wants to be actively the God of all of your things—your personal God who is eminently fair in the exercise of His authority. "He is thy Lord, and worship thou Him" (Psa. 45:11).

There are seven large and serious warnings about salvation in the epistle to the Hebrews (2:1-4; 3:7-19; 4:11-13; 5:11-6:20; 10:26-31; 12:25-29; 13:9-15). Our text of the day is central to the first warning. This is a warning against being drifted past the steadfast word which Christ came all the way from heaven to plant in our hearts.

There are two excellent ways to heed this warning successfully.

Let the Word of Christ dominate your thinking process. It will give you permanent stability. Tie your mind tightly (consider) to the Word of Christ. Read it. Memorize it. Study it. Recite it. Review it. Constantly pass it on to others. Only by use (cf. 5:14) will you come to know its real value. We must all be Bible students. Then, 2:2 speaks negatively to the same point—do not take life lightly in view of the Word of Christ. The word of Moses, the Mosaic Law, was severe on the transgressor. The Word of Grace contains far more advantages for the believer and far more severity for the one who takes it lightly.

Let the wealth of Christ delight your thinking process. The greatness of this salvation dawns as we add up the assets and advan­tages found in this salvation. While we must respect and avoid the severity-side of this salvation, we must see how attractive and great is its value. This means that we are delighted to get into the treasure house of this salvation and explore it for our own spiritual profit. God's salvation intends that we grow in Grace (2 Pet. 3:18).

This is striking, staggering and stimulating information. An uninformed person would never give the revealed answer of our text.

Rejoice! Believers are not afterthoughts. God's plan for us did not originate after we were born physically. He was not surprised by our coming. He did not suddenly have to adjust His plan to us. We were not late in coming to God's mind. He has had us in mind all the time. We are amazingly important to Him.

Rejoice! Believers are not little-thoughts. Notice in Hebrews 2:8 that God has put all things under the believing man's feet for eternity. This is how much God has in mind for the saved man—and more. Man is not little but great in God's thinking. God's mind is full of man. God's mind is full of great things for the saved man. These are days of conditioning to prepare you for all that God's mind is flooded with—just for you.

Rejoice! Believers are connected with Christ in God's thoughts. In 2:6, the Son of Man is Jesus the Messiah. What this particular One came to do was closely viewed (visitest) by God the Father. For a little while (Greek) the Father made Christ to be positioned lower than the angels (as you will see from 2:9 the Spirit interprets Psalm 8:4f of Christ as the second Adam, the representative man). Jesus is the head of a new generation (stock) of mankind (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). In God's mind, it is only in Christ that man can enter into and enjoy God's plans. This day has not yet come (2:8b) in which this is visible; but it is already real.

"When Christ Who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in (the splendor of His) glory" (Col. 3:4, Amplified N. T.).

Jesus is the believer's One and only. Christian life is a love story indeed. The believer has eyes for no one else. As C. I. Scofield once said, "His perfection does not glitter, it glows." It is the glow of His personal magnetism. Our whole life's compass is regulated by His attractiveness.

We must see and explore Christ, first. There is a reason why we do not yet see all things subjected to man (2:8c). Things must be enjoyed in their proper order. But first we must see Christ and explore this One who is everything we need. Here (2:9-18) we are asked to behold His death and its success; His incarnation and its result in identification with mankind. This is the how and the why of the believer's relationship to Christ in the first place.

When we look further we see how complete our Savior is (2:10, perfect). He has experienced everything man ever suffers. His suffering was in a much more sensitive and extensive way than ours, however. He had more capacity to suffer greater pain than we have. Now, in heaven, He has a complete experiential understanding of your needs and knows how to give complete help (2:18) in every situation. Death is our greatest enemy because apart from Christ it keeps us in fear (2:15) and bondage; but Jesus delivers us from this as a merciful and faithful High Priest.

Then we can look at the things through Christ. What we do not yet see actualized, we can see through Jesus. The secret of it all is seen in the fact (2:10b) that He is leading many sons into glory first. This is how man gets to have all things under him. Heaven is where the assignments will be made. Today is the day to follow His leadership to that goal.

NOVEMBER 8 Hebrews
"Holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider . .. Jesus" (3:1).
Heaven Calling

The best background to this statement is found on the mount of transfiguration. Peter was considering Moses and Elijah on equal

Tie your mind down to Jesus. This is the secret of successful spiritual thinking. It will provide you with a long view of every phase of your life. This is eternal thinking. It is new to life because it is found. only in Christ.

According to our confession, Jesus is both Apostle (the One sent to tell us of our calling) and High Priest (the One who died to put it in force).

It appears from a lengthy study of the epistle to the Hebrews, that the sin that so easily besets us (12:1) is here defined. It does not consist in the sins of a life. Rather does it consist in the root or sin nature. The root or sin nature is the evil heart of disbelief. No wonder that this epistle places so much emphasis on faith (Ch. 11).

A believer must have a heart for God—for the just shall live by faith (10:38). This is the way to heart-health.

Long preparation lies behind the promise of God--profit awaits belief!

NOVEMBER 11 Hebrews
"Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience" (4:11, A. S. V.).
Getting Your Proper Rest

The rest of which Hebrews chapter four speaks, is called God's own rest (4:3). The plan for this rest was finished from the foundation of the world (4:3). The rest has been regularly offered. For instance it was offered in Joshua's day (4:8), and in David's day (4:7), but Israel failed to enter rest because of its disobedience (4:6). Therefore, there remains a rest for the people of God (4:9).

How to enter into this rest today (4:11). This requires diligence (not labor) on the path of the believer. It calls for diligent attention to the Word of God which is (4:12) alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword and which penetrates to the (or, through the) soul and spirit, to both joints and marrow, and is quick to discern the reflections and insights of the heart. So you see that the Word of God leads the way into this rest. It leads the way aggressively, stabbing our hearts to awake to the real reasons why we do or do not respond to the Divine promises. It leads us to see that the believer in the finished work of Christ will desire to give all diligence to enter into the constant enjoyment of such a work.

NOVEMBER 12 Hebrews
"The word of God is living, and active (4:12a, A. S. V.)
The Irresistible Word of God

It produces and promotes life wherever it is mixed with faith (4:1-2). This Word is not dead or dying; neither is it dull. Many are dead who have heard the Word, but the Word still lives actively. In this Word is all the wisdom of eternity. This Word spells out the will of God so that you may do the work of God in God's way.

The Word of God is keener (sharper) at getting to its objective than even a two-edged sword. It penetrates even through the soul and spirit (the joints and marrow of the inner man). Thus, it is able to judge or discern (discriminate) the inner feelings and thinking process of the heart. In giving us God's Word (account of things), it demands of us an accounting (4:13c). Later, before Him with Whom we have to do, we must give our account of the work of the Word of God in our heart.

NOVEMBER 13 Hebrews
"Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace" (4:16a, A. S. V.).
Grace in Power Today

The section from Hebrews 4:14-16 is rich in triumphant excellencies. See (1) Jesus splitting the heavens to pass through to the throne in heaven (v. 14); (2) Jesus as your great high priest; (3) Jesus, as He is in truth, the Son of God; (4) Jesus, completely aware of our continuing infirmities; (5) Jesus, able to care for these infirmities completely, having triumphed over them in His testings; (6) Jesus, as the sinless one (not having a sin nature).

How wonderful to know God's timing. If we rest our case with Him, our hearts can slow down and rest also. Thus we wait for the power of Grace to work in our behalf on the schedule of God's exact timing.

O the pure delight of a single hour
that before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with Friend!
-FANNY J. CROSBY

Resolve in the Spirit, to come to a knowledge of the truth so that you may in turn teach others of the excellencies of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:9).

NOVEMBER 16 Hebrews
"Wherefore having left the elementary account about Christ, let us be borne along to the point of completeness—which was designed" (6:1a, original paraphrase).
The Believer Who Arrives

There is One who bears believers along (cf. 2 Pet. 1:21). Read Heb. 1:3 and see that Christ "upholds" (bears along) all things by the mere utterance of His power. Here, the Spirit would move us along to completeness. Our yieldedness is needed. This is illustrated in 6:7,8 both positively (v. 7) and negatively (v. 8). The genuine believer responds to the blessing from God (v. 7) and bringeth forth its product. The false professor brings forth trash (v. 8) because he will not receive (or yield to) the blessing from God. So God provides the rains of blessing, in spiritual form, for the genuine believer. The false professor also knows the rains of blessing (read 6:4,5) but does not yield to them. The latter is further illustrated in Hebrews 3 where the wilderness carcasses give their testimony.

So if you would be a true believer, who arrives—yield yourself to the Holy Spirit, who alone can bear you along to completeness.

NOVEMBER 17 Hebrews
"But beloved ones, we have long been persuaded concerning you better things, even the things which salvation has, even if we are speaking in this manner"(6:9, Literal Trans.).
Salvation Has It

From an interested One. "God, being -minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability (unchangeableness) of his counsel, interposed an oath" (6:17). Nothing could show God to be more interested in you, as a genuinely saved one. If you have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before you, you can teach others (5:12f) what salvation has. Ask yourself the question, "What does have that salvation does not have?" You'll find that no matter what you test by this question, salvation in Jesus Christ, has it more. Like the confident Greek politician of yester-year you can say, 'Whatever he (the other politician) promises, I will do." So with the believer, "whatever other things promise, salvation will do." Salvation has it!

The reader may recall the old story of the preacher who questioned the boy with the kite string in his hands. The kite was out of sight. The string was in the boy's hands. How did the boy know the unseen kite was in the sky? By the tug on the string, of course. So also may the believer know that he is anchored to heaven's throne.

We are, then, to accept this help. The current form in which we need help is encouragement that the promise of God will be fulfilled and we will be His heirs (6:17).

NOVEMBER 19 Hebrews
"The power of an endless life . . . his priesthood unchangeable .. . perfected forevermore" (7:16b,24b,28b, A. S. V.).
Power, Permanence and Perfection

These are factors which cannot be found even in the only God-given religion of Israel: (1) the power of an endless life, (2) the permanence of an unchangeable priesthood, (3) the perfection of an unequaled priest.

The power of an endless life (7:1-17). This is the subject to which the author of Hebrews has been continually desiring to address himself (see 5:11). It is set forth here against the background of two Old Testament orders of priesthood: (1) Melchizedek (7:1-10), (2) Aaronic (7:11-28). The Aaronic priesthood naturally loomed largest to the Hebrew. Fifteen hundred years under Aaron eclipsed any knowledge of the other priesthood. During these years Israelites saw that their many Aaronic priests failed to live long. The situation cried for one who had the power that derives from an endless life. Men need a priest who will not he interrupted by death (see 7:23).

The permanence of an unchangeable priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood was not the first priesthood. It was a temporary arrangement at best. Because (7:24) Jesus had the power of an endless life, His priesthood will not and need not be changed. Thus (7:25) He is able to save to the full consummation all who draw near to God through Him. This means also that He performs a sustaining priestly ministry to believers, called "intercession," while we are walking here below.

The perfection of an unequaled priest (7:28). We have seen the importance of the endless life which He has, and the unchangeable priesthood which He holds. Now we are asked to note that He stands as the perfect or complete priest. There has never been another like Him. This is the kind of high priest that fits our need (7:26). No wonder that He is the surety (7:22) of a better covenant (i.e., better than the Mosaic covenant). This is especially wonderful when we recognize that this power, permanence and perfection are for our profit.

NOVEMBER 20 Hebrews
"We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle" (8:1b,2a, A. S. V.).
Looking on to Jesus

Recall the importance of the: (1) scene (8:1-6), (2) secret (8:7-13), (3) significance (9:1-10), (4) seal (9:11-28), (5) sacrifices (10:1-18)—all of which are highly involved in Jesus' current ministry (7:25).

NOVEMBER 21 Hebrews
"He hath obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises" (8:6, A. S. V.).
The Scene and Secret of Jesus' Ministry

Jesus is high priest where it counts and He has what it takes to really change the situation in man's heart and life.

The secret of Jesus' ministry (8:7-13). The fault of the first covenant (i.e., the Mosaic covenant) was in the people. They had no help to carry it out. The enablement was missing—making the first covenant faulty (8:7). When Jesus died, He became the mediator of a new covenant—new as compared to the old Mosaic covenant (8:13). Therefore, we are not to live under the Mosaic with its faults, but under the new covenant with its perfect mediator—administrator, The secret of Jesus' ministry of mediation is that He can provide the perfect enablement and enrichment to the heart which the old covenant was unable to do. Thus it is not a constant matter of dealing with the problem of sin; but rather the sin problem has been dealt with eternally (8:12); and now time can be spent on the positive teaching (8:10) and conditioning of the believer who is freed from his load of sin. Here indeed is the secret of perfect salvation—a covenant-guarantee of positive enrichment. All shall come to know (8:11) the Lord personally. This (2 Peter 3:18) is the secret of positive strengthening.

NOVEMBER 22 Hebrews
"But Christ . . . through His own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption" (9:11a, 12b, A. S. V.).
Eureka—Eternal Redemption!

Victory in life. The result of the victory of blood as it relates to our sins before God is a victory in daily life for us. Jesus did not secure temporary redemption for us. He did not secure conditional redemption for us. He did not secure unreal redemption for us. Here is what this means "cleanse your conscience from dead works, with a view to your serving the living God" (Original trans., 9:14b). Jesus died (9:16) so that the new covenant could be put in force. In that covenant is bequeathed all the riches of Grace. Better still, Jesus arose and lives to mediate or administer these riches or blessings daily in the life of the believer. Count on Jesus to execute the covenant which He sealed with His own blood. The covenant is in force (9:17). What force does the covenant have with you?

NOVEMBER 23 Hebrews
"So shall Christ, sacrificed once for all to bear the sins of many, show Him- self the second time, with no reference to sin, to those who are eagerly looking for Him, and that for their salvation" (Berkeley Version, 9:28).
Be Eagerly Looking for the High Priest

Every high priest who went into the earthly sanctuary's holiest place of all came out again. Outside, around the tabernacle, the people eagerly looked for him and waited until he came out. Had the offering not been accepted, the priest would not have come out alive.

Christ will return successfully to the scene of His victory. Man's denial of Jesus' return will have no effect any more than crucifixion defeated the program of God in salvation. You were not here when He first came. You will be related to the second advent in a personal way. Eagerly expect Him and know that He brings all the capstones of salvation with Him. He is bringing "full salvation" (Amplified, 9:28). It will be the time when we will enter with full freedom and abandon into the full dimensions of our salvation. We got away from sin and sins at Calvary. What did we get into? Why, the length, breadth, depth and height of God's Grace—His treasure house!

NOVEMBER 24 Hebrews
"For by one offering He has perfected those who are being sanctified, with a view to it being uninterrupted" (10:14, Original paraphrase).
Perpetual Care

The object of Hebrews 10:1-18 is to show how God can make perfect those who draw near to Him (read 10:1). The term "perfect" is variously understood but it contains the ideas of (1) bringing to a designed completeness, (2) maturing to the point of ripeness. In a common word, it means "to be all there."

There is no other offering possible or applicable to this will of God. Hebrews 10:18 is grossly misunderstood as teaching loss of salvation. It actually teaches that God accepts no other offering than Calvary. There He can see sins taken away. There He has grounds for bringing a saved person's life to completion by sanctifying Grace. Jesus' offering is superior to all others because it brought enriching Grace into the picture and thus into the believer's heart.

NOVEMBER 25 Hebrews
"Let us run with endurance the race that is laid out before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith" ( 12: 1b-2a, Original trans.).
Looking Unto Jesus

No matter what the situation calls for, in the actual practice of the Christian life, the Scriptures teach us to look unto Jesus. He authored and originated Christian life and He alone can bring it to completion. This completion requires attention to endurance, liberty, faith, hope and love. Jesus knows how to treat each of these perfectly. Look unto Jesus in your practice of the Christian life.

NOVEMBER 26 Hebrews
"Enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus by the way which He dedicated for us, a new and living way, through ... His flesh" (10:19b-20).
The Way Is New and Living

It brings the believer into God's presence (10:19). Jesus dedicated Himself to getting us to God (cf. John 14:6b). He is now a great priest over the house of God (3:6; 10:21). We are not to draw near to should not see death (compare John 11:25,26 for yourself). Life from God issues in a walk with God—a walk all the way into glory.

Noah working with God (11:7). Working with God involves eternal details. Noah's work was: (1) invited by God—in the midst of great apostasy; (2) identified with the Grace of God—in view of faith-righteousness; (3) inheriting the riches of God—in spite of a disobedient world.

Abraham waiting for God (11:8-12,17-19). Not just waiting, but waiting for God's big moments—God's perfect timing. Abraham, and lees not forget his princess of the faith, Sarah, waited for God because: (1) a promise had been given, (2) a pilgrimage had been started, (3) a prospect bad been made vivid. God is never late. He comes through every time He makes a promise to His own—and always on time (4:16). Like many of us, they were heirs together of the Grace of life in Christ.

NOVEMBER 29 Hebrews
"Let us run . . . looking unto Jesus" (12:1,2, A. S. V.).
This Salvation Is Great

The cloud of evidences. God has enveloped every believer with a cloud of witnesses. (1) The nature of this cloud—seen in its scope and size. These witnesses cover a wide scope of different situations requiring faith. The size of this testimony is measured by the size of the problems faith conquered. (2) The need of this cloud of evidences was obvious to the Spirit and should be to us. Our faith needs to be exercised (cf. Heb. 4:1,2; 5:11,12). (3) The nearness of this cloud forbids our faltering excuses.

The contest of endurance. Christian life grows best when opposed. Two chief matters are dealt with in this connection: (1) The contest requires conditioning. First, the believer must be clean-cut: laying aside every thing that weighs him down, and also the sin which so easily besets every believer (an evil heart of unbelief?). Secondly, the believer must be confident enough to run with endurance. (2) The contest requires a set course--which is laid out before us by God. This is not a short dash but a marathon against time and things.

The conquest of Evangelicals. This is the salvation that is great. It is centered in the good news of which Christ is the subject. It is the good news people who are the victors in this contest. See: (1) their magnet—Jesus. (2) their mood—joy before them at the throne.

NOVEMBER 30 Hebrews
"Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, fit you out with everything good to do His will, working within us through Jesus Christ what is well-pleasing in His sight. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen" (13:20, 21, Berkeley).
The Great Shepherd of the Sheep

The finished work (13:20). Peace is positive harmony. God is its Author. Calvary is its fountain. Easter is its manifestation of excellence. But Jesus ministers it in the role of Shepherd to His own sheep. More than the cessation of hostilities. Peace, or reconciliation, is intimate integration into the mind, will and emotions of God. With this condition of life within, the external situations of any shape, size or color cannot ruffle or defeat the believer.