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The Epistle to the Hebrews was originally addressed to a group of Jewish Christians. They were being tempted to abandon their confession of faith in Jesus Messiah and to return to the religion of their ancestors, because of the unrelenting pressure they were under from their fellow Jews. The author's purpose is to encourage his readers to stand firm and to persevere in their journey heavenward. He urges them to fix their eyes upon Jesus who, through the shedding of his own blood for their sins, has entered into the innermost presence of God on their behalf. There he now serves as their great High Priest, ever living to make intercession for them, at once touched with the feeling of their weaknesses and full of grace to help them in every situation. The message of Hebrews is till timely. Whether Christians are under pressure from family or friends, employers or the state, they are to stand firm, confident that as they fix their eyes upon Jesus he will enable them to endure to the very end of their journey.
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