Daily Bread 2011 - Hebrews 1
The Son Superior to Angels
1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
What Does This Mean?
We begin our journey in the next couple of weeks through the book of Hebrews. Although for 1,200 years the church thought the author was the apostle Paul, most today do not believe he wrote it. Usually Paul stated he was the author at the beginning of his letters, and the style of this book is much different than Paul’s other letters. Others have thought it was Barnabas, and Martin Luther thought it was Apollos, which is supported by many today.
Whoever it is, one of the main purposes of the letter, which seems more like a long sermon, is to show how Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant superior to the old one mediated by Moses. In this first chapter, we are given a clear description of Jesus, who is the exact representation of God’s being, and was pre-existent with God in the Creation. As Jesus finished His work, He has sat down at the right hand of the Father and now reigns with him in great glory. This could be in deference to false teaching about who Jesus was, or that he was just one of God’s angels.
Also, we will see throughout this book the linkage between the Psalms and other Old Testament prophecies to the person of Christ, the final revelation of God’s glory. This is very helpful for us to see that all of the bible leads us to Christ. Even in the Psalms, we see the prediction of His coming and His relationship to the Father.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Since we believe that all 66 books of the Old and New Testament are inspired by God, to tell of the salvation story and lead us to Christ, it is helpful to make a stronger connection between the Old and New Testament. Specifically, the promises and prophecies of the OT were leading to a New Covenant that God would write on human hearts instead of clay tablets. When we fully understand the way God revealed Himself to the Israelites, it gives more meaning to the reality that we experience all of God and His holiness through the power of Holy Spirit who lives in us.
It also reminds us that the sacrificial system is a thing of the past, and the perfect sacrifice was given by Jesus, the only Son of God. Therefore, we must resist the temptation to think that what we are doing, no matter how good it is, is accomplishing anything salvific. In these first 3-4 chapters, we will see the superiority of Christ to all the angels, to Moses and to the Priests, and the new sanctuary and new covenant from which God deals with His people who have been redeemed.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have revealed Your Son to us. The One who was, who is, and is to come. Send your angels to minister to us as we continue to be agents of yours who proclaim all that Jesus was, is and will be. Amen.
1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
What Does This Mean?
We begin our journey in the next couple of weeks through the book of Hebrews. Although for 1,200 years the church thought the author was the apostle Paul, most today do not believe he wrote it. Usually Paul stated he was the author at the beginning of his letters, and the style of this book is much different than Paul’s other letters. Others have thought it was Barnabas, and Martin Luther thought it was Apollos, which is supported by many today.
Whoever it is, one of the main purposes of the letter, which seems more like a long sermon, is to show how Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant superior to the old one mediated by Moses. In this first chapter, we are given a clear description of Jesus, who is the exact representation of God’s being, and was pre-existent with God in the Creation. As Jesus finished His work, He has sat down at the right hand of the Father and now reigns with him in great glory. This could be in deference to false teaching about who Jesus was, or that he was just one of God’s angels.
Also, we will see throughout this book the linkage between the Psalms and other Old Testament prophecies to the person of Christ, the final revelation of God’s glory. This is very helpful for us to see that all of the bible leads us to Christ. Even in the Psalms, we see the prediction of His coming and His relationship to the Father.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Since we believe that all 66 books of the Old and New Testament are inspired by God, to tell of the salvation story and lead us to Christ, it is helpful to make a stronger connection between the Old and New Testament. Specifically, the promises and prophecies of the OT were leading to a New Covenant that God would write on human hearts instead of clay tablets. When we fully understand the way God revealed Himself to the Israelites, it gives more meaning to the reality that we experience all of God and His holiness through the power of Holy Spirit who lives in us.
It also reminds us that the sacrificial system is a thing of the past, and the perfect sacrifice was given by Jesus, the only Son of God. Therefore, we must resist the temptation to think that what we are doing, no matter how good it is, is accomplishing anything salvific. In these first 3-4 chapters, we will see the superiority of Christ to all the angels, to Moses and to the Priests, and the new sanctuary and new covenant from which God deals with His people who have been redeemed.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have revealed Your Son to us. The One who was, who is, and is to come. Send your angels to minister to us as we continue to be agents of yours who proclaim all that Jesus was, is and will be. Amen.
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