Hebrews 1
June 28
Reading: Hebrews 1
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire." 8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." 10 And, "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end." 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Other than God, no one today knows who wrote the letter to the Hebrews. We do know that he was an apostle or someone close to the apostles and we know that he was a believer in Jesus Christ who knew their Old Testament intimately. We also know that he was close with Timothy and writing from Italy. (Hebrews 13:23-24)
The letter to the Hebrews is all about the supremacy of Jesus Christ who is worthy of our faith. Jesus is the Son of God, better than the angels, better than the priesthood, greater than Abraham. He is a better sacrifice than all the perfect animals, the mediator of a better covenant, the author of a better way of salvation. Therefore, we need to place all our faith in Jesus, the changeless Messiah, the great shepherd of the sheep, an anchor for the soul.
In the first four verses the author sets his course for the entire letter. Read Hebrews 1:1-4 and list for yourself everything that you learn about Jesus. Notice, in verses 2-4, the movement through time of the ministry of God’s Son.
Then, beginning in verse 5, the author begins laying out, from Old Testament scripture, how Jesus is greater than the angelic beings. An important hint for understanding the message of Hebrews is to use your side references in your study Bible, if you have them. Consider how application is made from the following Scriptures:
vs. 5 Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14
vs. 6 Psalm 97:7
vs. 7 Psalm 104:4
vs. 8 Psalm 45:6
vs. 9 Psalm 45:7, Isaiah 61:1-3
vs. 10 Psalm 102:25
vs. 11 Psalm 102:26, Isaiah 51:6
vs. 12 Psalm 102:26
vs. 13 Psalm 110:1, Joshua 10:24
The author of Hebrews clearly believes what Jesus taught in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that talk about Me.”
People today are crazy about angels. How is Christ better than the angels? What does it mean to you that Jesus is better than the angels?