December 21, Day 355

Today's Reading

To whom was Hebrews written and why? Those are critical questions if you want to consistently interpret the difficult passages found here. Is this epistle primarily for a groups of Jews who needed to decide if they would embrace Jesus as their Messiah? Or is it for Christians who were in danger of losing their salvation? Or (as I believe) is it to a group of Christians in danger of being stuck in a spiritual wilderness when God designed them to enter the Promised Land?

No doubt the target audience needed to deal with some false doctrines. One of those was worshiping angels. Another was making Jesus just a great teacher without recognizing that He is the Son of God. However, the core topic of this letter seems to be spiritual rest. "Come to Me, all you who labor...and I will give you rest," said Jesus. He called us to fight spiritual battles, but to do so while resting in Him; letting Him be God. It's one of our greatest challenges.