This chunk of Hebrews is one of those "stump the pastor" sections that, if not dealt with carefully, can cause some serious issues. For example, in 6:2, a number of good things to think about are blasted and in 6:4 there's a claim that it is impossible to return to faith once you fall away. So, what's the deal in these verses? While I can't find anyone who agrees with me, here are my thoughts.

First, we need to look at what was said both before and after this section. Both sides deal with Melchizedek and the priesthood of Christ. With this in mind, we see in verse 11 that the author, who's just introduced the topic of Christ's priesthood, wants to say a whole lot more about it, but the people aren't inclined to listen to what he has to say, rather, they want to move on to what they perceive to be more important issues.

While discussing the April 6, 27-Hour Service on the fshbwl (http://fshbwl.com), another image of seemingly inconsequential dots coming together to make a much larger picture came to mind. It links to the Stephen Sondheim musical based on a Georges Seurat painting.

The painting itself is made up of individual dots, with each dot, in and of itself, having little importance. Yet, when all of the dots are put together, the form a complete picture.

In the same way, while many of the experience of our life don't seem to have meaning or significance in the moment, because of the resurrection, we know that they are part of a much larger and much more powerful story that God has been unfolding since before the world began.

24:49 minutes (4.29 MB)

With the judgment of Satan and his forces complete it's time for the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment of humanity, and the ushering in to the new heavens and new earth, the hope that we've been pointing to all along.

Note: While talking I twisted around the prophets and apostles with the foundations and gates. I should have said that the teaching of the apostles, that is, the Gospel of Christ, is our foundation and that the bride of Christ, the heavenly Jerusalem, is made up of all God's people, both Old and New Testament.

Download this week's notes here.

By now I assume everybody had heard about The Lost Tomb of Jesus which will air Sunday on the Discovery Channel. According to director James Cameron, in 1980 a tomb was found in Jerusalem which could contain the body of not only Jesus, but his parents, Mary and Joseph, his wife, Mary Magdalene, and their son, Judas.

While Cameron's full presentation has yet to me made, Jeffrey Kloha, who is in the final stages of his doctoral dissertation in New Testament Studies from Cambridge, and also serves as a professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, has taken the information that is available and asked just how likely it is that this tomb contains what Cameron is purposing.

I provide a link to his paper, "The Lost Tomb of Jesus": A Perfect Storm, as additional food for thought while you watch Cameron's presentation on Sunday night.

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