Hebrews Series

January 22, 2022

The book of HEBREWS was written to Jewish Christians, who, at some point had experienced a saving relationship with Jesus. However, their faithfulness was wavering as persecution, outside influences, and love of Jewish traditions, began to replace their love and devotion to Jesus.

I believe Paul wrote Hebrews, but regardless of who authored the letter, 3 things are certain:

• He was familiar with the Old Testament and quoted from the Pentateuch and Psalms extensively (23 direct quotes come from these books).

• He believed the Old Testament pointed directly to Jesus.

• He was deeply concerned that his audience was in real danger of total abandonment of their belief in Jesus.

Which brings us to My Favorite Thing About HEBREWS ---- Jesus is Better.

Paul begins his letter with a grand affirmation:

• Hebrews 1:1-3 - In the past God spoke to our ancestors 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 also 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.

Jesus - better than angels

Angel worship was a real thing in the 1st Century and Paul had warned other believers of its dangers {see Colossians 2:18}. It is possible that these Jewish Christians were being swept up into this false religion, but whatever the situation, Paul needed his readers to understand that regardless of the role of angels in the past, nothing is better than Jesus.

• God called Jesus, not the angels, “My Son” – affirming His supreme rank and position within the Godhead.

o The fact that God “The Father” calls Jesus “My Son” is not an indication of Jesus’ status as deity, but an acknowledgement of His role within the Plan of Salvation. Each member of the Godhead is equal and each member has a distinct role to play. It’s what I like to call heavenly math 1+1+1=1.

• The Son is worshipped by the angels.

• The Son sits at God’s right hand exercising all power and authority. The angels serve.

• The Son is “Creator and Sustainer of the Universe”. Angels are “ministering spirits” - messengers to God’s people.

Hebrews 2:5-9 - It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor 8 and put everything under his feet." {Psalm 8:3-6} In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. – {Also see PP 64-65}

Jesus - better than Moses

No human being was more revered in Jewish society than Moses – the “deliverer” and “law giver”. He was IT – THE GUY – NUMBER 1. So, what Paul said next must have caused quite a disturbance to the readers of this letter:

• Hebrews 3:3-6 - Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

So, Jesus is better than angels and He’s better than Moses. He is the fullest and most complete revelation of God ever gifted to humanity and Paul tells us straight up that the consequences for ignoring this special revelation are eternal:

• Hebrews 2:1-3 - We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?

• Hebrews 4:12-13 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.