In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 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. 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. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”
(Hebrews 1:1-4)
Thoughts… If you picked up and began to read the book of Hebrews for the first time, you may never get past chapter one. If you don’t understand the writer’s purpose, it would be easy to get confused and discouraged and give up. But you would then miss out on a marvelous piece of the New Testament story. In a nutshell, the writer is simply showing us how Jesus is superior to everything else and therefore, all-sufficient for our lives. He is simply the best.
You see, in the Old Testament era, God primarily used the prophets, the law of Moses, and angelic beings to deliver his word to people. But they were the B-Team, and their work was only the pre-game warm-up to what God really had in mind—Jesus Christ.
Throughout the Old Testament, God was giving glimpses of what would soon be revealed. And when that revelation fully came in the person of Jesus, the law, the prophets and the angels had to step aside—their assignment was over. The Revelation of all revelations was here. Jesus is the prefect expression of the invisible God; he “perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature, holding the entire universe together by his own powerful words.” (Verse 3) So when you know the Son, you know the Father. When you received Jesus, you received God. Jesus is it—he is all—he is the very best and there is no other!
So here’s the deal: Why would you want to go back into Old Testament law and live by it to gain right standing with God? It was only holding things together until the real deal arrived in Jesus Christ. Why base your faith on Old Testament prophetic utterances? They’re only pointing to a New Testament reality that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. And for heaven’s sake, why would you need angelic visitations to make you feel somehow spiritually superior? They are inferior to what God has already given in Jesus Christ. When you’ve got Jesus, you’ve simply got the best.
That’s the message of this New Testament letter known as Hebrews. And the writer’s purpose is that as you read this book, it will be very clear to you that Jesus is superior to everything else. He is all-sufficient for your life!
Try to remember that as you go about your life today—it will make your day much better.
Prayer… Jesus, you are my all in all. Apart from you I have nothing; in you, I have everything I need. You are everything to me!
One More Thing… “Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again.” —George Whitefield
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.