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 3 is directed to people who were thinking about quitting and going back to their old way of living. When the going gets tough and you are tempted to quit, there are four things you need to do: Remember who you are, learn from history, check your heart, and engage deeply in a Christian community.

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.