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| Great Cloud of Witnesses |
Let's be clear. Hebrews was written FOR both Jew and Gentile, but it was written TO Christians of Jewish descent. That is why it is called The Letter to the Hebrews.
When we get to chapters 11, 12 and 13, we do well to remember to whom the book is written or else we will miss some of its more salient points. To find out more about chapter 11, read the posts below. For this post we will focus on a preview of chapter 12.
Chapter 12 is often treated as though it is a change of subject. It is not. The narrative of chapter 12 is a continuation of the thoughts of chapter 11. The "great cloud of witnesses" refers to those Paul (whom I believe wrote Hebrews) listed in chapter 11. Their witness would have been understood by both Jews and Christians of Jewish descent. The "hinders" of verse 1 refers to the ceremonial and legalistic practices of the Jews that would have caused them to resist the New Covenant in Christ.
In verse 2 we see the continuation of the absolute focus on the person of Jesus. This represented a great change for those of Jewish culture. They were used to rules and regulations. Jesus brought freedom and release from the Law.
The "shedding your blood" phrase in verse 4 reminded the Jews that their sacrifices of bulls, lambs and doves had been replaced with Jesus' perfect blood sacrifice. It also reminds them that there is nothing they can do, not even sacrificing their own blood, to achieve salvation. Salvation comes through Jesus or it does not come at all.
When Jews believed in and turned to Christ in repentance, they would face monumental hardships. Their families would disown them and their friends would forsake them. If they had any resources they would lose them. They would be disciplined by their father by being cut off from the family and treated as though they had died. This is presented in verses 7-11. In verses 12-13, the Jewish converts were being encouraged to prepare themselves for the persecution they would inevitably suffer.
In verses 14-27, Paul lays the groundwork for the glorious freedom from the Law that Jews would experience through the grace of God in Christ. Theirs is not a mountain that can be defiled by animals, but rather it is Mount Zion, the beautiful city of God. Jews who trust in Christ will see the heavenly Jerusalem, not some earthly Jerusalem that is subject to wars and destruction. They would be among the angels and those who were part of the church of the first born (Christ)...those whose names would be written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Jews and Christians of Jewish heritage are told that this heaven will be a kingdom that cannot end. They are to rejoice and revel in this new kingdom and should worship the God who provided all of this for them in reverence and awe.
What Paul was telling Christians of Jewish heritage is the same thing he told Christians in Rome. In fact, Hebrews is actually a commentary to the Jews on the book of Romans.
When we understand that, we are faced with a whole new perspective on the book of Hebrews and its hero, the Lord, Jesus Christ. To Him both Jew and Greek can turn in repentance, trusting in, and only in, His finished work at the cross of Calvary. Therein, and only therein we find eternal life.
