July 30, 2020
For the next 13 days we will be spending time together walking through the book of Hebrews! Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians who were undergoing persecution for their faith and considering running back to Judaism. The author of Hebrews takes an in-depth look at the practices and regulations of the Old Testament as articulated in the Torah and argues for how Jesus is both superior to each of them and supreme over all of them! The author also warns his audience of the grave danger facing them should they choose to now reject Jesus and return to their former way of life. These warnings can and should make us feel uncomfortable as we read through the book together; allow the Spirit to do what He wants to do in your heart through them! Overall, the message of Hebrews is that Jesus, the Son of God as well as our Savior and Messiah, is infinitely superior to anything or anyone else we could give our lives to, and He is worthy of all our devotion and worship. Jesus is greater!
The author begins the book of Hebrews with a sort of thesis statement explaining what he’s going to be talking about for the rest of the letter. He says that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of who God is, far above all of God’s revelation which came before Him. He calls Jesus “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (v.3). His point is clear: Jesus is supreme over all things!
The author then begins making an argument for the superiority of Jesus over the angels. This may seem strange to a modern audience, but to first-century Jews angels were the object of much curiosity and speculation. Angels worship God in His very presence, before His throne, and carry His messages to mankind; their job description is one of awe and wonder!
Besides this, the author’s argument concerning superiority of the revelation of God in Jesus to any other revelation has everything to do with Him also being superior to angels, since Jewish tradition also teaches that the Torah was delivered to Moses by angels (see Deuteronomy 33:2). Angels revealed God to humanity through the Law of Moses, but the revelation which is in Jesus is so much greater!
The author quotes numerous Old Testament passages concerning Jesus as well as the angels to make his case for Christ’s supremacy over them. The author’s point in this chapter is clear: the way that God has chosen to reveal Himself in and through Jesus Christ, His Son and His very Word, is far superior to any other revelation! Jesus reveals God perfectly to us because He isGod, and He alone is worthy of all glory and worship!
Hebrews 1
The Supremacy of God’s Son
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?
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How does the supremacy of Jesus over all things move us to worship Him and to pursue Him?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Because You are our creator and our God, I will pursue You and praise You forever. It is only by Your grace and Your will that I am here. Thank You for this glorious gift of life. Help me to honor You always in word and deed and to be an instrument of Your peace. Lead me in the paths of righteousness and help me draw nearer to You each day. Please be with us all as we try to maneuver through this maze called life til we reach the gates of heaven. In Jesus’ most precious name. Amen.
Hallelujah!!! “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.”
Heavenly Father, you sacrificed your Son for me. I am allowed in the throne room only by and through your son. As this new day dawns, I thank you for another day. Direct my steps, shine through me to help guide others to your throne room. Speak through me that others may hear the call to inherit salvation. May none reject the call. For it is in the name of your son, Jesus, that I lift this prayer. Amen
The author of Hebrews declares Jesus’s superiority to all other efforts to reveal God on this earth. Jesus is higher than the angels and the prophets. Jesus is God.
AMEN!!
My Heavenly Father, who knows what agony and grief are because of the sacrifice of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ—I thank You for the comfort which embraces all those who love You.
Protect our church family, relatives and friends during this pandemic.
We know You are in control.
Reassurance: “Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Hebrew 1:13
Thank you God for sending Jesus to saves us that we may be with you in heaven.
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!!! I am so blessed to have been forgiven of my sins, by my Lord and Savior. I will be able to sit by hin in heaven. In Jesus name I pray Amen
Several of the life group members of my class are taking the free online course with Dallas Theological Seminary and the one we are taking is on Hebrews. It’s so awesome how God brings revelation to us through CFBC and other opportunities for study and growth. Let us all continue to grow and learn in our faith.
Thanks
Stephany
Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending Jesus so we have the opportunity to be saved. Thank you for your love & protection. In Jesus’ Name Amen
Thank you Dear Lord for your provision and supplying of our needs! Praise and Glory forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you Father God for sending Jesus to rescue the perishing.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for another day to praise and worship you. It is wonderful to know that we have a Savior that loves us and that also reprimands us when we disobey. Although things in this world are in disarray, this should cause us to keep our eyes on you knowing that you are in control. Help us to always listen to you and not the noise of this world. Help us to be more loving, kind and caring for our fellow man. Protect us from all unrighteousness. Give us the fortitude needed during these times as we stand up for truth and righteousness. I pray these things in Jesus name. Amen
Help me be a man of peace, trust you you today, because you are supreme over all, including my life!
Even though I have never seen an angle in my life time one must have protected me in danger times.