“Clothe yourselves with humility” (5:5). It’s striking how often the Bible’s writers encourage humility, frequently enough to suggest that people have a recurring problem with pride. I immediately think of rulers in our world and leaders I have known whose pride is astronomical.

Hebrews is often referred to as an ‘epistle’ or letter, despite the fact that it jumps straight into things without the customary greetings and introductions. And straight away, we get the sense we are reading someone else’s mail. Hebrews is clearly addressing a Jewish audience …

Think for a moment about the close friends you had when you were sixteen years old. How many of them are still your close friends? Chances are you are not in touch with most of them – not because of any great falling out but just because life got in the way; you got busy, you moved to a different city, your interests diverged.

Have you ever met a celebrity you’ve held in high regard from a distance, only to find they are rather ordinary looking and awfully obnoxious in person? There is an American writer (who shall remain nameless!) whose books have been formative in my Christian life and who I have admired for many years.

Moses loomed large in the Jewish mind, and rightly so. This is the man who God addressed from a burning bush; the man who challenged Pharaoh and led the Israelites to freedom through a parted sea; the man who God entrusted with the Ten Commandments, the foundation of their identity as a chosen and holy nation.

Those who have visited the optometrist know the series of tests designed to determine if you need glasses or not. For several months, my wife kept encouraging me to get my eyes checked and I kept encouraging her that I was fine and there were no issues. Now, imagine my surprise when I decided to honour my wife and go …

No one likes to be deceived. Deceivers come in all forms; to your front door, in your mailbox, computer. . . and sometimes at the end of your pew. I have been scammed on at least one occasion that I will admit to. My weakness – I am too nice.

Jesus calls us to love all people, doesn’t He?