INTRO: The biblical writing known as Hebrews stands alone, being different than all other Bible writings. The main message focuses on a person, not a thing or an achievement.
Aside from the above statement, the Bible writer often repeats himself over and over. This is undoubtedly for the sake of emphasis. In a nutshell, Jesus Christ is declared to be superior to all other beings of all time!
Because of the above-mentioned truth- that Jesus Christ had no equals- it stands to reason that the writer would make Jesus the theme of this book from beginning to end!
Let us notice an example of this.
A good place to introduce this truth is found in Hebrews 3:1 which reminds us, “…therefore, holy brothers,who share in the heavenly calling, fix your eyes on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”
Having noted the above, turn back to Hebrews 1:1-4
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they.”
May I suggest two important things:
- Please read this from your Bible of preference(quotes here are from NASB) -gm
- Read the letter in its entirety and treat this letter as different from any other book in the Bible!
A scholar of renown described in an elevated, incomparable way, the true nature and value of the Christian religion. He penned “For the author of this epistle, Christianity is the better and the best of all possible religions. Besides, it there is none other. Jesus Christ is in an elevated incomparable way, the true value of the Christian religion” “Dr.NeilLightfoot,
This writer of this article believes that two of the most fascinating lines in all of the letter of Hebrews are found in chapter 8:6 and 1O:19-25. Please read these and meditate on their meaning.
Some refer to this information as “the better covenant.” Please refresh your familiarity with this “better covenant” by reading the material above. But, there is more. In the midst of all this “better”material we find a more powerful phrase. Allow me to suggest that you also read Hebrews chapter 8:7-13 for a more precise eye-opening experience. This causes us to thank God for this information and our transformation!
While it may not be a new thing to you, this letter called Hebrews finds no equal in the rest of the Bible’s writings! There are other exciting verses containing fascinating material, but no tas far-reaching as are defined in one of these ways: “Strong trust” or “Confidence in someone or something.”
This much we know: Hebrews 11:6 clearly states “without faith it is impossible to please God!” The Penman of this work pinpoints the obvious for the sake of the utter importance of faith in Jesus; that he was born, lived, died as our sacrifice, resides in heaven, and is making our faith valuable to us!
It is important to insert here that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith, by definition, is “trusting to the point of commitment.” We might use the word to describe the faith we have in our leaders, or could it be as simple as this????
Faith is a word we use in different ways. Here we use it to say that not all things are tangible, but that Hebrews contains some of the best of the most exciting information we have access to. If we claim to possess faith, we are telling or showing others that we believe the Bible to be true and dependable.
The extension of this definition, simply put, is “God the Father has provided for us a way to live on planet earth and to pass on to the heavely realm when this life is over.
Let us retreat just a little and bear-down on a small part of a telling passage. Please read chapter 8:7-13. You will notice that the event spoken of beginning in verse nine, took place many years earlier when God “took them(Israelites) by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. “As we read this we become aware of God’s desires for His beloved people, and when we study and meditate upon the actual happenings, we are aware of our failures, many times over!
Still, God’s promise to them was a NEW COVENANT between them (or their offspring) and the God of heaven and earth! Psalm 105:8 reminds us that God keeps His word for as long as it takes!
Brothers and sisters, this is our God too!