Faith in a deity/deities is the cornerstone of all religions but faith is intangible. It cannot be captured by any scientific instruments nor observed under any microscopes. Unlike experiments in laboratory or observations carried out in observatories above high mountains, incidents of faith cannot be repeated, nor verified by others.
There is internal coherence within a certain faith but most of the time, it defies logical analysis. Faith has her own system of reasoning. It doesn't mean that faith is always personal and subjective. Faith can be shared within a community. In short, faith is the story of a community, or of an individual. Faith lends meaning to their lives. You may disagree with the details of their stories, but the meaning conveyed within these stories is irrefutable. You either take it or leave it. Don't ask for evidence or logical proof.
Why do I need such a contorted introduction? It is because when we follow the logic of the epistle of Hebrews, we have to take some premises for granted. The author relies heavily on quotations from the Hebrew Scripture, the Torah, the Prophets and Psalms. Yet, what made him so sure that these quotations referred to Jesus Christ? What qualified Christianity the New Covenant referred to by Jeremiah? These quotations were written long before Jesus was born. It was impossible to have Jesus' identity embedded in the text. Rather, Christians read Jesus into the text. For example, the 5 prophecies about the Messiah mentioned in Matthew 1-2. Only Christians accept Jesus as Christ. Many others don't. Granted that the scripture was divinely inspired and that it was capable of correctly predicting the future, what makes Christians so certain that the faith they embrace is the promised one, and not some other systems in the future? I am afraid there is no evidence, nor proof but pure faith.
Based on the testimony of generations of witnesses since the age of the Apostles, Christians find purposes and meanings in their own life renewed through the Passion/Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of course, a touching story is not enough to move people so much so that they are willing to lay down their lives for this faith. The Holy Spirit must be at work as well.
The author of Hebrews himself believed in Jesus Christ. He interpreted the Hebrew Scripture in light of the Passion/Resurrection/Ascension of Jesus. Jesus was the Son of God (Psalm 2:7). He came to do God's will (Psalm 40:8). After Jesus' Passion, God raised Jesus to glory (Psalm 110:1) and established him as an eternal High Priest (Psalm 110:4) to set up a new Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) in which God will not remember the sins of His people (Jeremiah 31:34). The author intended to raise the status of Christianity above Judaism. His reasoning was coherent, only that he had not proved that Jesus was the Christ they had been expecting and that Jesus was the Son of God as he claimed. These are basic premises he has taken for granted and he expects his readers to do the same. The author wrote for believers. Non-believers had better consult some other books.
Now that you are a believer, what advice does the author of Hebrews give?
Jesus has redeemed us with blood. He is now the High Priest in heaven and he has taught us a new way of life on earth. So, how should Christians approach heaven?
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful;
and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:22-25).
Our hearts must be true. They should not harbour any ulterior motives.
Our hearts must be clean. They should be free from fleshly desires.
Our bodies must be baptised to acknowledge our alliance with Christ and fellow Christians.
Our faith in the hope of the Kingdom of God must stand firm.
Our life must be one of charity, of communion and of edification.
Christ is faithful. His Judgment Day is drawing near. It will not be long.
Dear Lord, let us follow the footsteps and advice of St. Paul who holds You close to his heart. May we be able to draw nearer daily to You. Amen.
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