NOTES for Heb 4:14-16

In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the apostle speaks in the language of Israel's Law. Yet after his own conversion, he cannot regard the Law as a set of rules for life. He sees the Law and the prophecies as full confirmation of the Messiah's accomplished coming. He sees the Law as something that explains what is obscure and difficult for a human being to understand. And the apostle says: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who, like us, has been tempted in every way, yet without sin.” In the Gospel we read these astonishing words: “There are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” What does this mean? Who will not taste death? How will they see the Kingdom of God in power? Christ's power is fulfilled not in crushing Israel's enemies, but in the complete fulfillment of all the prophecies and the Law. No human being is capable of fulfilling everything prepared for him. But Christ, coming to earth, fulfilled everything prepared for Him. Christ's power was accomplished in the destruction of death through the Resurrection. And His disciples saw Him risen. They saw that they had been delivered not from death into darkness, but toward the Resurrection and the Kingdom of God.