SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 1
INTRODUCTION: (From NIV Bible & Warren Wiersbe Bible Handbook)
The author of the book of Hebrews is unknown. This book was probably written in the late AD 60’s when persecution was a real problem for the church in Rome. This letter was written to the Jewish Christians who were about to give up their faith and return to the Jewish faith because of persecution.
The Jewish religion is known as Judaism. They consider Jesus as a good teacher but not divine or the promised Messiah. They observed the Mosaic covenant through adherence to Torah and 613 commandments known as Mitzvot as the foundation of Jewish religious life. Christianity on the other hand believes Jesus as the divine Messiah and the Son of God who came down from heaven to sacrifice for our sins and redeem us from eternal death. He was resurrected on the third day and is now at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
The book of Hebrews was written to teach the Jewish Christians that Christ is from God and is better than the angels, Moses, Joshua, priests and He is the only Savior. The emphasis in Hebrews in on “by faith”. We are saved by faith and we must live by faith. The author established the superiority of Christianity and focused on the practical implications of following Christ. He exhorted the readers to hold on to their faith, encourage each other and look forward to Christ’s return.
THE SON SUPERIOR TO ANGELS (vs. 1-14)
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets, but now 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.
SAYINGS OF THE FATHER REGARDING HIS SON JESUS:
- “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” (v. 5)
- “Let all God’s angels worship him. (v. 6)
- “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.” (v. 8)
- “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.” (v. 9)
- “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” (v. 10)
- “They will perish, but you remain, they will all wear out like a garment. (v. 11)
- 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.” (v. 12)
- “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (v. 13)
In speaking of the angels, the Father says: “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” (v. 7). All angels are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.
THOUGHTS:
Jesus is greater than the angels because He is the eternal Son of God whom the angels worship and serve. The tasks of the angels are to serve God’s people, give special care to children and intervene in the lives of God’s servants when they need special help. When the believers die, the angels will escort them to glory. When Christ returns, angels will accompany Him. We must not worship angels or pray to them. But we can trust God to send them when we need them most.
Jesus is the exact representation of God and he is God himself. He is eternal and he worked with the Father in creating the world. He is the full revelation and the complete expression of God in a human body. Christ’s character never changes. He is loving, kind, faithful, just and merciful. He forgives our sins and helps us when we need it.
The early churches taught that God could be approached only through angels. Instead of worshiping God directly, followers have to revere angels. Some thought that Jesus is the highest angel of God. But Jesus is not a superior angel. In any case, angels are not to be worshiped. No one can become an intermediary between us and God. Jesus Christ is God and he alone deserves our worship.