Hebrews 1-6
Today we begin a very rapid run through an exceptionally rich stretch of Scripture, which brings together the Old and New Testaments like nothing else. The Book of Hebrews is deep, filled with ideas that are not altogether easy to grasp. It would be a mistake, though, to think that because it is a little difficult, that we can then skip it. No, just the opposite. Without Hebrews, I daresay that there would be gaping holes in Christian doctrine. But to help us out a little, here’s my exceptionally oversimplified summary: Jesus is better!
Jesus is better than angels. Jesus is better than Moses. Jesus is better than Abraham. Jesus is the ultimate Man. Jesus is the Son. Jesus is our ultimate High Priest. Jesus is our ultimate Sacrifice. Jesus mediates a better Covenant based on better promises. Jesus is the substance of which the entire earthly temple system is but a shadow.
But I am getting a bit ahead of myself…
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4
Like I said, Jesus is better!
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Hebrews 2:1
Yes, let’s pay attention. And when we have completed our sprint through the Bible next week, find some time to come back to this Book of Hebrews to study it much more deeply than we can in these few days we have here. You’ll meet Jesus all over again.
Merry Christmas!
See also:
Folks,
When I think of Christmas in the Bible, I think of Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels, the Christmas stories therein. It had never occurred to me to go to the first two chapters of Hebrews to find links to the Nativity. Here are a few; in each of these you can see the Birth narrative:
Clearly number (3) above is not about Jesus; it’s from Psalm 8 and speaks of humanity. However, it spoke to me that Jesus was “made…for a little while lower than the angels…” and that He has been “crowned … with glory and honor.”
So, Merry Christmas, indeed!!
Excellent observations, Fred.
But I would not say that #3 is not about Jesus; it is very much about Jesus. You are right that Psalm 8 speaks of all humanity, but Jesus is the ultimate Man and the Representative of all mankind, and so Hebrews makes Psalm 8 all about Him accordingly.