Hebrews 5:7-9

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…

The book of Hebrews was most likely written some 30 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, few years before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It appears to be directed to Jewish followers of Jesus in Jerusalem who are in transition from being Jews to becoming… something else.  The author wants to show how Jesus points back to the old ways and towards something new to come. He shows how Jesus is  the “great high priest” understanding the struggles and trials of his people as well as being the source of salvation that will do away with the need for future sacrifices.

For these followers of Jesus the old ways were well and truly disappearing. The future held peril and uncertainty. But it also held the promise of salvation. Like all those who choose to follow Jesus our task is to work out what we keep and what we leave behind.

The first church in Jerusalem was to be a starting point for Christianity to grow and spread. But after the destruction of the temple in 70AD and the Roman rehabilitation of the area into a new colony in 135AD the church had no real foothold there.

Where we start is not where we end.