Day by Day with Hebrews

Don E. Atkinson

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2022
• eBook ISBN:
  9781666718218
• Print ISBN:
  9781666718195
  9781666718201
• Topic: Theology & Religion

Don E. Atkinson wrote Day by Day with Hebrews to unpack the spiritual truths the author endeavored to communicate to his original readers/hearers. Don achieves this goal by dealing sequentially with every verse in Hebrews, resulting in 174 thought-provoking devotionals. As Don journeys through Hebrews, he consistently notes and explains key theological themes, contrasts, metaphors, types, comparisons, and rhetorical questions found in this sermon addressed to messianic Jews of the first century AD. He concludes each daily entry with a "Thought for the Day," to help his readers reflect on biblical truths and apply them to their lives. If readers actively use the abundant biblical knowledge presented in his devotional, as they engage with Hebrews, Atkinson is convinced they will "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18a).

God’s Son Is Unique!—Part 1

Whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

—Heb 1:2b–2c

Being God’s eternal Son and in the flesh (John 1:14) for a short time, makes Jesus unique. The author wanted his readers to visualize the majesty of Jesus as the Son. Therefore, the author gave seven affirmations of the Son which describe His attributes and achievements as God’s “final” and “unique” agent in revelation. Also, the seven affirmations reveal why revelation given in and through Jesus is the highest which God can give.

The time when God appointed His Son as heir of all things was not stated by the author. Jesus’ royal inheritance has only been inaugurated but will be consummated at the end of the age (1:13; 2:8–9). Heirship entails lordship. Being the “heir of all things,” means Jesus is exercising universal lordship. The Son will eventually inherit everything the Father possesses (1 Cor 15:28; Heb 1:13; 2:5, 8).

Through whom also He made the world

Through whom reminds the readers that God created the world through Jesus. The Greek word for world means “ages” and is used for both spatial and temporal realms. Therefore, the author had the whole created universe of time and space in mind. In addition, the meaning of “world” involves all the events that have happened since the creation of the universe.

In summary, the author presented two affirmations or attributes of the Son. As the Son, He was appointed heir of all things. Heirship entails lordship. Second, as the heir of all things, Jesus rules over the whole universe that was created through Him “in the beginning” (Gen 1:1).

Thought for the Day: The One who made the universe can adequately care for Jewish Christians—and you, too! Also, Jesus can guide you through days of testing, stress, and persecution. Trust Him to do this in your life!

God’ Son Is Unique!—Part 2

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.

—Heb 1:3a–3b

Today we will look at the third and fourth affirmations of the Son.

In the Greek language, radiance refers to light that “shines forth” from a source. The term radiance also carries the sense of splendor or intense brightness. As the radiance of His glory, the Son is the manifestation (shining forth) of God’s glory.

For those who have accepted Jesus as Savior, God’s glorious light shines forth into their hearts. This divine light dispels darkness which stimulates hope and happiness in the human heart.

The second part of the third affirmation is: the exact representation of His nature. The Greek word for “representation” refers to a precise reproduction of the original. The word was used of an impression stamped on an object, especially on coins. Therefore, Jesus is a perfect representation of God the Father. The term nature signifies the “substance” or “real essence.” Jesus is the stamp of God’s substance or essence. Consequently, Jesus is uniquely qualified to be the final or ultimate revelation of God. He revealed the nature and character of God.

Upholds all things by the word of His power

Jesus not only made the world (v. 2c), He sustains the universe. The verb upholds is in the present tense which shows that Jesus is continuously sustaining the world. By the word of His power tells the reader “how” the Son upholds the universe.

Thought for the Day: Jesus is the radiance of His glory and upholds the universe by the word of His power. Therefore, trust Him today for the power to sustain you amidst your problems, weaknesses, and trials.

God’s Son Is Unique!—Part 3

When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

—Heb 1:3c–3d

Today we will consider the fifth and sixth affirmations of the Son.

With the phrase made purification of sins, the author introduced Jesus’ priesthood and summarized His high priestly work. Jesus was simultaneously the high priest and the sacrifice when He offered Himself on Calvary’s cross for the sins of His people.

God considers sin defilement which must be cleansed or purged. Jesus’ shed blood was the purifying agent for the sins of all who would ever accept Him. Those who accept Jesus, the Son, as their Savior, experience cleansed or “purified” consciences. They are free from the stain of guilt that defiled them. A “contrast” between Jesus’ priesthood and the Levitical priesthood is probably implied here.

When Jesus completed his work of atonement on the cross, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The author rarely referred to Christ’s resurrection. Instead, he stressed the idea that the Son had become the perfect high priest by His death and exaltation to God’s right hand.

The fact that Jesus “sat down” is key. This position shows His sacrificial work was finished. OT priests never sat down because their sacrificing was never done. “At the right hand” is also significant. To be at someone’s right hand was to be in the position of special honor ...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Scripture Abbreviations
• Introduction to the New Testament and Hebrews
• How to Use the Daily Devotional
• God’s Final Revelation Is in His Son
• God’s Son Is Unique!—Part 1
• God’ Son Is Unique!—Part 2
• God’s Son Is Unique!—Part 3
• God’s Son Is Unique!—Part 4
• Only Jesus Is a Son—Part 1
• Only Jesus Is a Son—Part 2
• Angels Worship the Son
• Angels Are Servants of the Lord
• The Son Is Eternal—Part 1
• The Son Loves Righteousness
• The Son Is also the Creator
• The Son Is Eternal—Part 2
• The Son Is Greater than Angels—Part 1
• The Son Is Greater than Angels—Part 2
• God’s First Warning—Part 1
• God’s First Warning—Part 2
• God’s First Warning—Part 3
• Angels and the World to Come
• Earth Is Subject to Man—Part 1
• Earth Is Subject to Man—Part 2
• Jesus for a While Was Lower than the Angels
• The Author of Our Salvation Fully Obeyed God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation
• Jesus and His Followers Are from One Father
• Praise God with Jesus in the Congregation
• Jesus’ Solidarity with Believers—Affirmed Again
• Jesus Was Incarnated to Overthrow the Devil’s Power
• Jesus Was Incarnated to Deliver His People from the Fear of Death
• Jesus Was Made Like His Brethren
• Jesus Was Also Tempted
• Jesus Our Apostle and High Priest
• Jesus Is Worthy of More Glory than Moses
• Moses Was Faithful as a Servant
• Jesus Was Faithful as a Son
• Today if You Hear His Voice
• Do Not Harden Your Hearts
• They Will Not Enter My Rest
• Encourage One Another Day After Day
• Hold Fast Your Assurance Until the End
• Israelites Unable to Enter Because of Unbelief
• Do Not Come Short of Entering God’s Rest
• God’s Rest—A Type of Heaven
• Believing and Obeying Are Requirements to Enter His Rest
• The Word of God Is Living and Active
• The Word of God Judges the Thoughts and Intentions of the Heart
• You Can Not Hide from God
• Since We Have a Great High Priest . . .
• Let Us Hold Fast Our Confession
• Jesus Sympathizes with His Children
• Draw Near to the Throne of Grace
• Qualifications for Earthly High Priests
• Jesus’ Divine Installation as High Priest
• Jesus’ Sympathy with Humanity
• Jesus’ Saving Role as High Priest
• His Listeners Were Dull of Hearing
• Milk Versus Solid Food
• Let Us Press on to Maturity
• Third Warning—Been Enlightened and Tasted of the Heavenly Gift
• Third Warning—Made Partakers of the Holy Spirit, and Tasted of the Good Word of God
• Third Warning—and Have Fallen Away!
• Third Warning—Impossible to Renew Them to Repentance?
• Third Warning—Impossible to Renew Them to Repentance While in an Active Apostate State
• An Agricultural Metaphor Describes the Two Possible Responses to the Warning
• Following the Third Warning—A Message of Comfort
• Show Diligence and Experience the Full Assurance of Hope Until the End
• God’s Promise to Abraham
• Why God Sealed His Promise with an Oath
• The Nature of Our Hope
• Where Our Hope Has Entered
• Introduction to Melchizedek
• Melchizedek Blessed Abraham
• Melchizedek Has No Genealogy!
• The Greatness of Melchizedek
• Melchizedek Is the Greater
• Imperfection of the Levitical Priesthood
• The “Another Priest” Is Not from the Tribe of Levi and Is Indestructible
• Jesus’ Priesthood Brings a Better Hope, a Better Covenant
• Jesus’ Priesthood Is Permanent
• Jesus—A Sinless Priest
• Jesus’ Once for All Sacrifice
• Jesus Sits at the Right Hand of God
• Jesus Has Much to Offer
• Jesus Is the Real Deal—Not a Copy
• Jesus Has a More Excellent Ministry
• Israel’s Unfaithfulness and the Prophecy of a New Covenant
• Some Characteristics of the New Covenant
• More Characteristics of the New Covenant
• The Old Covenant Is Obsolete
• The Earthly Place of Sacrifice—Part 1
• The Earthly Place of Sacrifice—Part 2
• The Earthly Place of Sacrifice—Part 3
• The Earthly Place of Sacrifice—Part 4
• The Earthly Place of Sacrifice—Part 5
• The Earthly Place of Sacrifice—Part 6
• The Repetition of Sacrifice Has Ended
• Two Limitations of the Old Covenant
• Jesus Entered Heaven with His Blood
• Jesus’ Blood Cleanses Our Consciences
• Jesus, the Mediator of a New Covenant
• Why a Death Was Necessary for the Ratification of a New Covenant
• Likewise, the Old Covenant Was Ratified with Blood
• Ministry in the New Tabernacle
• The Once-for-All Offering—Part 1
• The Once-for-All Offering—Part 2
• Jesus Is Coming Again
• OT Sacrifices Were Not Sufficient—Part 1
• OT Sacrifices Were Not Sufficient—Part 2
• Jesus’ Superior Sacrifice—Part 1
• Jesus’ Superior Sacrifice—Part 2
• Jesus’ Priesthood Versus the Levitical Priesthood
• How the New Covenant Was Established
• The Means by Which Believers Have Access to the Heavenly Sanctuary
• Let Us Draw Near to God Through Jesus
• Hold Fast the Confession of Your Hope
• Motivate Others to Love and Good Deeds
• How the Old Covenant Dealt with Willful Sin
• The New Covenant Punishment for Apostasy—Part 1
• The New Covenant Punishment for Apostasy—Part 2
• Remember Your Former Days
• Do Not Throw Away Your Confidence
• Do Not Shrink Back, but Have Faith to the End
• The Nature of Faith
• Faith and Creation
• Two Givers and Two Offerings
• The Ultimate Importance of Faith
• Enduring Faith
• The Obedient Faith of Abraham
• A Life of Faith Leads to a City
• These All Died in Faith
• Abraham and His Descendants Desired a Better Country
• The Unwavering Faith of Abraham
• The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
• Moses’ Faith Resulted in Persecution
• Moses’ Faith Led to Godly Choices
• Moses’ Faith Was Public
• Faith Toppled the Walls of Jericho
• The Faith of a Jericho Prostitute
• Exploits of the Faithful—Part 1
• Exploits of the Faithful—Part 2
• Exploits of the Faithful—Part 3
• Exploits of the Faithful—Part 4
• Exploits of the Faithful—Part 5
• Exploits of the Faithful—Part 6
• A Final Accomplishment by Faith
• Many Suffered Unto Death for Their Faith
• The World Was Not Worthy of These Saints
• How to Run the Christian Race—Part 1
• How to Run the Christian Race—Part 2
• Consider His Endurance
• Regard Highly the Discipline of the Lord
• The Father Disciplines His Children
• Discipline Yields Righteousness
• Make Straight Paths for Your Feet
• Pursue Peace and Sanctification
• Do You Harbor Any Roots of Bitterness?
• Do Not Lightly Regard Your Salvation
• Terrors of Mount Sinai . . .
• . . . and the Joys of Mount Zion—Part 1
• . . . and the Joys of Mount Zion—Part 2
• A Final Warning—Part 1
• A Final Warning—Part 2
• Continue to Love Your Brethren
• Have Compassion for Prisoners
• Honor Your Marriage Vows
• Avoid Greed and Be Content
• Remember Past Leaders and Pray for Present Leaders
• Jesus Remains the Same and He Will Continue to Strengthen You
• The New Altar and the Old Tabernacle
• Remember, Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate
• True Christian Sacrifices
• The Author Needed Prayer
• Prayer of Benediction—Part 1
• Prayer of Benediction—Part 2
• The Closing—A Request, Greetings, and a Blessing