The Hall of Faith

Hebrews 11
(The following picture is used with permission from Greg Madej from http://www.gregsartdomain.com/Cathedral-Hallway.gif)

Hbr 11:1-2
"Now faith is the assurance of {things} hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval."

In the original Greek, Faith is the "hupostasis" and "elegchos" of our hope; which literally translated means our faith has both a foundation to stand on and proof of existence. It is not a "blind faith" that God calls us to; but one that has thousands of years of assurance through the fulfillment of promises that God fulfilled; in the "men and women of old." The Lord has provided these men and women of faith to give you and I conviction in what we believe, and the hope that what God has promised is true.

In the darkness of our world, these "men and women" provide a light to our path in following the Lord. Just like the windows of "Inside the Cathedral" provide guidance and illumination to the the door; there have been men and women of faith that light your path to the Saviour who is the door to eternal life. They also guide you into the truth.

Abel (11:4)

Many say that Cain's crops were not the firstfruits, while Abel's sacrifice included the shedding of blood from the innocent lamb. But Hebrews says the difference in the sacrifices was not in the external offerings, but internally in the heart. Because of Abel's faith his offerings were accepted.

Enoch (11:5-6)

Enoch pleased God because he trusted the Lord. Enoch believed that God is who He says He is and because of his faith, Enoch was taken up by the Lord.

Noah (11:7)

Noah had never seen rain much less a flood, but Noah began building the Ark 120 years before the Flood. I can imagine what his neighbors thought; that Noah was a few sheep short of a flock. But we can also see why God chose him; because of his faith. Noah (and his family) were rescued because of his faith that God would provide for their salvation.

Abraham (11:8-10, 17-19)

I can see the conversation now. Abraham, I want you to leave everything you know and move to someplace new; but I am not going to tell you where you are going. Later, God would ask Abraham to give up his only son which is a foreshadowing to Jesus's crucifixion. Abraham's faith was based on a foundation that God was truth and proof that God always delivered.

Sarah (11:11-12)

God told Sarah that she would conceive a son, even though she was well beyond her years of childbearing. Sarah had faith that what God had promised would come to pass because of his continued faithfulness to her and Abraham.

Joseph (11:22)

As Joseph was dying in Egypt, he made his descendants promise to take his body back to the land given to Abraham. Because of his faith, he knew that God would lead the Israelites back to the land that was promised.

Moses (11:23-29)

Because of his faith in God's ability to deliver Israel, Moses entered the courts of Pharoah, demanding that he let them go. By faith, he led the Israelites through the Red Sea. By faith Moses followed the Lord in the wilderness for 40 years because he knew that God would fulfill his promises.

Rahab (11:30-31)

By faith in the God of Israel, Rahab sided with them instead of the people of Jericho. By faith, she and her family were delivered.

The Faithful (11:32-34, 35b-39)

"And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated men of whom the world was not worthy, wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith"

And you and I could add to the list. There are parents, teachers, brothers, sisters, pastors, and friends that have provided a foundation of assurance that God is who He says He is. They have provided proof of our conviction that God delivers on His promises, that He will provide for our salvation.

The path is illuminated by the lives of the faithful, Jesus just asks you to open the door.

The Veil is Torn

Hebrews 10:19-21
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have we have a great priest over the house of God."

From the beginning of Hebrews 1:1 to 10:18 the author has laid the foundation and exposed the truth concerning Jesus. "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." From Hebrews 1:1-3 we see that Jesus is God in the flesh, that He is Creator, Sustainer, King, Sacrifice, and Savior.

We have seen that Jesus is superior to angels, prophets, Moses, Melchizedek, priests, and the levitical system. We have shown that Jesus is the true tabernacle, the real Sabbath, and the anchor of our soul. We have been warned to pay attention (2:1), to not harden our hearts (3:8), and not to fall away(6:6).

Because of all this we have access to the Most Holy Place. We have access to God through Jesus Christ. The body has been broken and the veil torn, the blood has been used to satisfy the consequences of our sin, and the great High Priest sits at the right hand.

Because of Jesus, the scripture states in Chapter 10, we can

Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (22) because you have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit washes you on a daily basis and reminds you of impurities in your life.
Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (23) because His is always faithful even when we are not. Because our hope is in someone rather than something.
Consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (24) by meeting together and encouraging one another with testimonies of the work of Jesus in our lives.

And we are to continue to do so, to perservere in the faith until "He who is coming will come."

We can have this confidence because the one who tore the veil, is the one who lives in your heart. He is the author and perfecter of your salvation. He is the anchor of your soul.