Often, we look to things or to someone to provide satisfaction and meaning. And when that happens, then like the original audience for this letter, I’m looking for a “Jesus substitute”—another priest. When the priesthood and the system of sacrifices were established under Moses it was a foreshadowing of what was to come.

Hebrews is a letter to those who need encouragement to keep on following Jesus. This is a letter to Christians who are starting to lose their passion, who are drifting, who are entertaining thoughts of quitting, who see the appeal of an easier life. Let’s do a deep dive into the opening words.