Hebrews 1:1-14   (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)

Hi GAMErs!

Today we begin the book of Hebrews.  It contains one of the Bible’s most beautiful, thoughtful and thorough presentations of who Jesus is and what He has done.   Here is some background on the book of Hebrews that you may find helpful:

–  The book of Hebrews is known as the only truly anonymous book in the New Testament, as the author does not reveal his identity.  Some have suggested that the apostle Paul wrote this book, although many scholars believe this is unlikely.  For reasons that we won’t get into now, it seems that a strong argument can be made that Luke, the one who wrote both the Gospel of Luke and Acts, was the one who authored this book.  Whoever the author was, it is clear that the author knew Paul’s disciple Timothy well (see 13:23).
–  Many scholars agree that Hebrews was written in approximately 69 AD before the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.  Otherwise, the author would likely have mentioned this event when talking about how the old sacrificial system of the Jews had been replaced by a new system ushered by the blood of Jesus.
–  The intended original readers of this book are also not known with certainty, although a good argument can be made that the writer of Hebrews wrote this book to Jewish believers or even Jewish priests who had converted to Christianity, to teach them the importance of who Jesus is and the difference Jesus makes in how we worship God.

Today’s passage is Hebrews 1:1-14.  Let’s go!

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV)
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.

On verses 1-3:  Chapters 1 to 3 of the Hebrews speak about the greatness of Jesus.  Here in just the first 3 verses of chapter 1 alone we learn that:

  1. Jesus is the one God uses to speak to us (v1-2).  Above any prophet from the past, above creation, above our conscience and feelings, the clearest, strongest and most important revelation God has given us about Himself is through His Son Jesus.
  2. Jesus is the heir of all things (v2).  All things belong to Him.
  3. Jesus is the one through whom the Father made the universe (v2).  Jesus is the Creator.
  4. Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory (v3).  No one radiates God’s glory like Jesus does.
  5. Jesus is the exact representation of God’s being (v3).  In other words, if you want to see what God is like, just look at Jesus.
  6. Jesus is the one who sustains all things by His powerful word (v3).  He is our Sustainer.
  7. Jesus is the one who provided the way for us to be purified from our sins (v3).  He is our Saviour.
  8. Jesus is the one who sits down at the right hand of the Father in heaven (v3). He is heaven’s favoured son, the prince of peace.
Hebrews 1:4-14 (NIV)
4  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
5  For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?
6  And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7  In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”
8  But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
10  He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, 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  You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”
13  To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
14  Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

On verses 4-14:  Here the writer of Hebrews shows how Jesus – both in essence and in name – is far greater than the angels.  For example:
–  Whereas the angels are God’s servants, Jesus is God’s Son (v5)
–  Whereas the angels may be powerful (v7), they were made to worship Jesus (v6) who is king (v8-9), creator (v10), eternal (v11) and ageless (v12)
–   Whereas angels are sent to serve God’s people (v14), God’s people are commissioned to serve and worship Jesus (v13).

Lord Jesus, no angel can compare to You in name, glory, majesty, beauty or power.  Here on earth may I join the angels in heaven in giving You worship today.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

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