Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
only Jesus: provider of God’s rest
Hebrews 3:7-4:13. Moses offered a promised land and took his people to a place of rest, but they were not able to enter God’s rest because of their disobedience. Now Jesus offers God’s Sabbath rest. This is the rest of … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, grace, Jesus Christ, obedience, works
Tagged Hebrews 3, Hebrews 4
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only Jesus: builder of God’s house
Hebrews 3:1-6. The author of Hebrews urges his Jewish brothers not to cling to the traditions associated with Moses and slip away from their confidence in Christ. Just as some were tempted to get sidetracked on worshipping angels (chapters 1-2), … Continue reading
Posted in church, confidence, faithfulness, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God
Tagged Hebrews 3
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only Jesus: source of God’s salvation
Hebrews 2. When God sent his message of salvation by his angels – those who obeyed were delivered. Now God has sent his message of ultimate salvation by his own Son. Those who neglect Christ’s great salvation will find no … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, deliverance, Jesus Christ, sanctification, submission, trust, worship
Tagged Hebrews 2
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only Jesus: heir of God’s universe
Hebrews 1. Jesus has some things in common with angels. He is a messenger – the word angel means messenger. He is the Son of God. Angels are also called sons of God by virtue of having been created by … Continue reading
responding to heaven’s king
Matthew 28 Matthew does not describe the resurrection itself. He assumes it. To him, it is the most certain reality in the world. Instead, he turns our attention to the responses that first Easter morning—responses that still echo in … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, courage, kingdom of God, obedience, witness, worship
Tagged Matthew 28
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the death of heaven’s king
Matthew 27:27–66 Matthew wants us to feel the weight of what Jesus endured—not only the physical agony, but the profound abandonment that surrounded His death. The One who deserved honor received mockery. The One who deserved worship received scorn. … Continue reading
the innocence of heaven’s king
Matthew 27:1–26 Matthew slows the narrative so we cannot miss the central truth: Jesus is innocent, yet every human hand around Him participates in condemning Him. Judas, the very man who betrayed Him, suddenly feels the crushing weight of … Continue reading
the lonely night of heaven’s king
Matthew 26:30-75. Jesus and his disciples had barely any time to reflect on the significance of the Lord’s Supper. they went to the Mount of Olives, and Jesus predicted again his betrayal, and the fact that his disciples would deny … Continue reading
the last supper of heaven’s king
Matthew 26:1-29. The officials in Jerusalem are even now plotting to have Jesus arrested and killed. A woman anoints him with expensive oil, and Jesus allows the extravagance because she is preparing him for burial. Judas conspires to betray him. … Continue reading
Posted in church, deliverance, grace, second coming, the cross, witness
Tagged Matthew 26
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being ready for heaven’s king
Matthew 25. Jesus had taught his disciples that they “must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (24:44). He concludes his eschatological discourse with three parable illustrating the need for that … Continue reading
