Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 140 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado

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BOOK OF HEBREWS

Nelson Impact

Contents

How to Study the Bible...................................ivIntroduction to the Book of Hebrews......................viiLesson 1 Jesus Understands Us............................1Lesson 2 Keep the Faith..................................11Lesson 3 God's Rest......................................21Lesson 4 Jesus, Our High Priest..........................31Lesson 5 Perseverance....................................41Lesson 6 God Forgives and Forgets........................51Lesson 7 A Sacrifice for Sins............................61Lesson 8 Confidence in Christ............................71Lesson 9 Faith in God's Promises.........................81Lesson 10 Suffering Serves a Purpose.....................91Lesson 11 The Fear of the Lord...........................101Lesson 12 Serving Others.................................111

Chapter One

JESUS UNDERSTANDS US

REFLECTION

Think for a moment about how you cope with hurts and disappointments. These are the bumps and bruises we gather almost every day. Some last a brief time; others stay with us for life. Where do you usually turn for comfort when you are hurting?

SITUATION

The writer of Hebrews intended to highlight the uniqueness of Christ. From the first sentence of this letter to the last, Jesus is presented as the final word from God. In that day, there was a fascination with angels among the Jewish culture, but the author made it clear that angels pale in comparison to God's Son. The point was not to disparage angels but to demonstrate the surpassing greatness of Christ and his effective ministry on behalf of those he came to save.

OBSERVATION

Read Hebrews 2:10-18 from the NCV or the NKJV.

NCV

10 God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory, so he made the One who leads people to salvation perfect through suffering.

11 Jesus, who makes people holy, and those who are made holy are from the same family. So he is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 12 He says, "Then, I will tell my fellow Israelites about you; I will praise you in the public meeting."

13 He also says, "I will trust in God." And he also says, "I am here, and with me are the children God has given me."

14 Since these children are people with physical bodies, Jesus himself became like them. He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death-the Devil-15 and free those who were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death. 16 Clearly, it is not angels that Jesus helps, but the people who are from Abraham. 17 For this reason Jesus had to be made like his brothers in every way so he could be their merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. Then Jesus could bring forgiveness for their sins. 18 And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself suffered and was tempted.

NKJV

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:

"I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."

13 And again:

"I will put My trust in Him."

And again:

"Here am I and the children whom God has given Me."

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

EXPLORATION

1. Why did God allow his Son to suffer?

2. What effect did Jesus' victory over death have on Satan?

3. What can free people from their fear of death?

4. Why is Jesus the perfect High Priest for us?

5. In what ways is Jesus able to help us?

INSPIRATION

Abandon. Such a haunting word.

On the edge of the small town sits a decrepit house. Weeds higher than the porch. Boarded windows and a screen door bouncing in the wind. To the front gate is nailed a sign: Abandoned. No one wants the place. Even the poor and desperate pass it by.

A social worker appears at the door of an orphanage. In her big hand is the small dirty one of a six-year-old girl. As the adults speak, the wide eyes of the child explore the office of the director. She hears the worker whisper, "Abandoned. She was abandoned."

An elderly woman in a convalescent home rocks alone in her room on Christmas. No cards, no calls, no carols.

A young wife discovers romantic e-mails sent by her husband to another woman.

After thirty years on the factory line, a worker finds a termination notice taped to his locker.

Abandoned by family.

Abandoned by a spouse.

Abandoned by big business.

But nothing compares to being abandoned by God.

"At noon the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours. At about three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why did you abandon me?'" (Matt. 27:45-46 TEV).

By the time Christ screams these words, he has hung on the cross for six hours. Around nine o'clock in the morning, he stumbled to the cleft of Skull Hill. A soldier pressed a knee on his forearm and drove a spike through one hand, then the other, then both feet. As the Romans lifted the cross, they unwittingly placed Christ in the very position in which he came to die-between man and God.

A priest on his own altar. (From Next Door Savior by Max Lucado)

REACTION

6. How are Jesus' pain and temptation relevant to us?

7. In times of trouble, why do we turn to other people rather than to Jesus?

8. In what way does God equip us to reach out to others with compassion?

9. How should Christians respond to the pain that comes their way?

10. How has knowing Jesus increased your sensitivity to and compassion for others?

11. What can you do to show God's love to someone who is hurting?

LIFE LESSONS

One of the times we tend to feel alone is when we are facing temptation. It's common for us to think our struggle is unique. But this passage reminds us that Jesus knows what we face. He "gets" it. He has faced the same temptations. He knows. He understands. He wants to help. Will we let him?

DEVOTION

Lord, we stand in awe of you for what you have done-you left your...