Regarding Hebrews, how do I apply this to myself?
As a Gentile, I need to understand the Jewish context for the New Covenant. Hebrews is one of my favorite books of the Bible, since the unknown author explains the context and explains the need for a Messiah for all people. Though the author was working to explain the role and accomplishment of the Messiah to Hebrews, it is the same message for us all.
These two verses are incredible summaries:
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17 NIV).
Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews 9:26 NIV).
Regarding Hebrews, how do I apply this to my community?
Probably due to having a close friend who is Jewish in my youth, I have a heart for telling the Gospel to Jewish people. One follower of Jesus I really looked up to in my early Christian days was a Jewish believer, Eddie Isler, who was the leader at the time of "Career Fellowship," a blessed singles group in Virginia back in the 1990s.
Hunter Irvine
