Exploring the Scripture

Hebrews is a sermon to a community in crisis in Rome. Preached by an unknown preacher during second-generation Christianity, this pastoral discourse centers on the meaning of Christ. Although the author is unidentified, he was likely a Jewish Christian and perhaps part of the Pauline circle—but not Paul.

The group, likely Jewish converts or perhaps a Jewish and Gentile mixture, struggled with disillusionment and faced persecution. They were in doubt and in danger of losing their Christian identity. They were in jeopardy of reverting to Judaism. It was a challenging time for them. The Letter of Hebrews uses a theologically laden interpretation of scripture to reassure listeners of the new covenant embodied in Christ and encourage them to remain committed.

We live in a different time and culture than the early Christians in Rome. However, are we not confronted by similar challenges? Are we not a community in crisis? Are we not in a time of doubt, struggle, and challenge of authentically living up to the mission and message of Jesus Christ? Are not many disillusioned? Do we ask what the meaning of Christ is in our time?

Today’s scripture text responds. Verses 5 and 10 provide a valuable image of Christ central to Hebrews. Principally, they highlight Jesus Christ as a high priest—a mediator—who stands before God on behalf of humankind. He offers prayers, petitions, and service for healing and wholeness amid our broken world.

Jesus accepted and presented before God the flaws, pain, suffering, and needs familiar to us all. He modeled servant ministry and proclaimed God’s reign and shalom. Not all are called to serve in the priesthood office of high priest, but all are called to embody the nature and love of God through Christ-like service, character, generosity, and mission.

Prayer, petition, and sacramental living are essential. Verse 7 suggests Jesus offered prayers with “loud cries and tears.” This verse expresses how Christ hears and bears the human burdens of life, including the diminishment of human worth, misery, suffering, loneliness, yearning, sorrow, wrath, and so forth.

Our calling is to share others’ suffering and experience and join in Christ-like compassionate ministries in action. As our enduring principle, Worth of All Persons, states: “We join with Jesus Christ in bringing good news to the poor, sick, captive, and oppressed." Verse 8 expresses Christ’s divinity as Son but shares that Jesus’ suffering strengthened his obedience toward God.

The first hearers of this ancient text encountered persecution and suffering in Rome. The Hebrew author encouraged them—and us—to remain like Jesus Christ, obedient and close to God amid their suffering. Verse 9 mentions Christ as the “source of eternal salvation.” It reminds us that we, too, as Christ’s disciples, are to share peace, wholeness, and right relations with one another, creation, and the divine. This is “at the heart of the purpose of [our] journey as a people of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:2b).

Today’s scripture passage reminds and challenges us, like those early disciples, of the meaning of Christ in our setting. Community of Christ prophet-president Stephen M. Veazey helps clarify today’s meaning: “Renewing covenant with Jesus Christ includes the call to live as peaceful human beings who personify Christ’s peace... Trust what is being born...Persist in Hope.”

Project Zion Podcast

Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

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Central Ideas

1. We are called to model ministry through prayer, petition, and sacrifice on behalf of the world for God’s shalom.
2. We offer prayers with “loud cries and tears” and carry the burdens of others compassionately.
3. We allow our life’s challenges, pain, suffering, misgivings, and ambiguities to shape and draw us closer to a loving, grace-filled God.

Questions to Consider

1. How are members in your congregation like the early Christians in Rome?
2. How has someone’s prayer and petition blessed you?
3. How have you experienced suffering?
4. How do you tune in to God’s will, love, and desires?
5. What does “eternal salvation” mean in your ministry environment?