The Book of Hebrews opens more directly and to the point than any other Epistle. It begins without an introduction, salutation, or designation of who is writing. Some have said the conclusion is the introduction. At the conclusion of the book, the writer calls this a “word of exhortation” (13:22), which was a type of sermon or Jewish-Christian Midrash that was presented in synagogues. Much is pre-supposed by the author about the knowledge, culture, and background of those receiving the Epistle. The Book of Hebrews was written around 67 to 68 A.D. during great opposition to the Christian’s faith in Jesus. The temple was still standing in Jerusalem and Jewish rituals continued as they had been for centuries. The title “To the Hebrews” was first found in a third-century document but was known by that title in the second-century. The conclusion of Hebrews indicates that the writer was a contemporary of Timothy.
Hebrews 13:23 NKJV Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
From the context of the Book of Hebrews, it is evident that it was written to strengthen and establish the faith of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of us lack the Jewish background of those to whom this was originally given, but we face the same challenges to our faith.
- Is Jesus indeed the Son of God?
- Is He supreme above the prophets, priests, angels, Moses and Joshua and what does that mean?
- Can we trust in His death and bodily resurrection for our salvation?
- Is Jesus indeed our great High Priest who has passed into heaven?
- Do we really expect the return of Jesus as the King of the whole earth?
Jesus Christ, God’s Son is superior.
Hebrews 1:1 NKJV God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Hebrews 1:2 NKJV has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
God spoke in various ways in the Old Testament.
- God gave promise to Adam that the Savior would come from the seed of the woman, (Genesis 3:15).
- He spoke to Noah and warned him for the salvation of his family, (Genesis 6-8).
- God told Abraham He would bless him and a Savior would come from his seed, (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18).
- He spoke to Jacob in visions of the night, (Genesis 46). God told him that the Savior would come through the tribe of Judah, (Genesis 49:10).
- He spoke to Moses through a burning bush, (Exodus 3).
- Later, God spoke to Moses from the mountain and in a thick cloud after His glory rested on Sinai, (Exodus 19; 24; 34).
- When the congregation spoke against Moses and Aaron, the cloud covered the tabernacle and the glory of the Lord appeared, and the Lord spoke to Moses, (Numbers 16).
- He spoke to the congregation of Israel out of the midst of the fire, (Deuteronomy 5:23-26).
- He spoke to Elijah in a still small voice, (1 Kings 19).
- God told David that the Savior would be born of his house, (2 Samuel 7:13).
- He spoke to Isaiah by a heavenly vision, (Isaiah 6).
- God wrote a message to Belshazzar with the fingers of a man’s hand on the wall, (Daniel 5).
- He spoke to Daniel in night visions, (Daniel 2, 7).
- God spoke to Israel through his prophet Hosea and his marriage to a prostitute, (Hosea 1:2).
- He spoke to Amos by a basket of fruit, (Amos 8:1).
- God told Micah that the Savior would be born at Bethlehem, (Micah 5:2).
It is important for us to notice the various ways that God spoke.
Acts 14:16-17 NLT In the past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but He never left them without evidence of Himself and His goodness. For instance, He sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.
God lets us know that He is still God by sending rain from heaven and crops in their seasons.
Psalm 19:1-4 NLT The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
God has spoken.
God used the prophets to speak to the fathers.
Hebrews 1:1 NKJV God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Those words from the prophets were divinely inspired.
God spoke by the prophets. From the prophets we have a revelation of the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Christ.
Their ministry was partial and fragmentary.
God used various or different methods or ways to speak through the prophets. He spoke at various times, but they did not have a constant word from God. They spoke as God used them. God has spoken and revealed the truth about where we have come from, why we are here, and where we are going. God has told us how we can conquer the trials, evil and death of this life and world.
There is a major difference in God’s Son.
Hebrews 1:2 NKJV (God) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Prophets, priests, angels, Moses, and Joshua could only speak in parts, sections, or fragments as God gave them a message or word. The message from each of God’s spokesmen needed to be heard but their revelation or message could not add up to the fullness of what God wanted to say.
“In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”
Notice the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
Jesus has not only spoken for the Father, His word is authoritative and powerful. By the word of His mouth He created all things that are created. He is not only the Creator, He is the heir of all things. He is both the Creator of all things and of all the ages. All time is in His hands.
Hebrews 1:2 AMP [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].
Colossians 1:16 NIV For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.
Jesus Christ the Son of God is superior to the prophets because He is both Creator and Heir of all things.
Hebrews 1:3 NLT The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
Several things listed here indicate the superiority of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is Creator and the supreme spokesman of God.
- Jesus is the appointed Heir of all things.
- Jesus radiates the brightness of God’s own glory.
The glory of God shines through Him. “Radiance” is light that comes from some source of light. Moses’ face did shine after being in the presence of God. “Out of Christ” the glory of Christ shines. The light shined on Moses, but Jesus is Light.
- Jesus is the perfect expression of the image of God’s person, bearing the essence and nature of God.
- Jesus upholds and sustains everything by the word of His power.
He carries all things forward on their course by the power of His command. He is the Master of the universe. Neither the universe nor all creation is sufficient to sustain itself. It does not function or exist without the Word that made it. Jesus carries all things and holds all things together by the power of His word.
- By Himself, Christ the Redeemer cleansed our sins.
Jesus Christ alone is our Redeemer. Creation rests on His power, but redemption relies on His weakness and death. When He had purged our sins, He arose to the highest position of honor.
- Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven where He is the supreme Mediator for mankind.
When He arose to the highest heaven, His act of redemption was completed.
Colossians 1:15-17 NLT Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.
The best representation of God the Father is the exact likeness or visible image of the unseen God.
When the prophets spoke, people feared and trembled at their word, for they spoke with God’s authority. When they spoke, things happened.
They could not be an exact likeness of the invisible God.
When Jesus came, He clearly declared Who He was.
- He said, “The words that I speak are the words of the Father.” (John 14:10)
- His works were the works of the Father, (John 14:10).
- Jesus said, “I and My Father are one,” (John 10:30).
Think about the majesty and supremacy of Christ.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.
Jesus Christ possesses the very glory of God.
Hebrews 1:3 NKJV Who beingthe brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
The word being represents absolute timeless existence. Jesus indicated that He is the great “I AM.” Jesus Christ possessed the glory of God for all eternity. God’s very presence in all of His light and purity dwells within the person of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect imprint and very image of God.
We should consider that Jesus Christ did not just come with a message from God, He is the Word of God.
John 1:14 NKJV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
In the fullness of time, God sent His Son. Here is the impact of this Word.
God sent His Son to purge or cleanse us from our sins.
We need to see Jesus Christ as He really is.
- The Book of Hebrews reveals Jesus Christ as our great High Priest.
- He is the One Mediator and Intercessor between God and Man.
- He is the Mediator of the new covenant.
- His blood is the blood of the covenant.
- We need to recognize the deity of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is superior because He is the Son of God.
1 John 1:7 NKJV But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Revelation 1:5 NKJV Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
He is the Redeemer, Mediator and Intercessor.
The prophets told us that He would come. They foretold of a day when the Redeemer would come to Zion. They could speak about Him and God’s great salvation, but they could not be the Savior. In these last days, Christ has appeared to put away sins.
