INTRODUCTION:
The book of Hebrews is not the easiest book in the New Testament to study. It is, however, one of the best books for learning exactly who Jesus is. That’s why we’ve chosen Hebrews as the book we’ll be studying in our Pueblo groups for the next 12 weeks.
The book of Hebrews is unusual because no one knows for sure who wrote it. There are theories that it may have been written by Paul, Silas, Barnabus, Apollos, Luke, or some other church leader. But, since we can’t know for sure, we’ll go with what we can know. It’s obvious that the book was written by someone who was knowledgeable in both Jewish traditions and in Greek philosophy. The writer was not afraid to tackle difficult theological questions and to attack false teachings with authority.
Hebrews was written to first century Jewish Christians. It seems obvious from the topics in Hebrews that these early Christians were beginning to drift back to the legalism of their Jewish tradition. It is obvious that some were venerating certain prophets and even worshiping angels.
In other words, early Christians were in danger of putting laws or prophets or angels ABOVE Jesus Christ. When you understand that, it’s easy to see why the letter to the Hebrews has one main focus. No matter what topic Hebrews addresses --- whether prophets or angels or priests or rulers or nations or laws or traditions or religious ceremonies --- for every topic Hebrews has one message: JESUS CHRIST IS GREATER.
The Greek word “kreitton” is used 13 times in Hebrews to describe Jesus Christ. It can be translated as “superior, better, or GREATER.” The author leaves no doubt: Jesus Christ is GREATER than anything or anyone.
Without even bothering with a greeting, this letter to the Hebrews starts with a bold declaration: In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but 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. Hebrews 1:1-2
1. Jesus is the Greater Revelation: Hear Him! Hebrews 1:1-2
It’s interesting to think of the various ways God communicated throughout the Old Testament.
· He spoke to Abraham out under the stars
· To Jacob in a dream, with angels descending on a ladder
· To Moses in the burning bush, Ex.3:2
· To Balaam through a talking donkey
· To Elijah in a still, small voice I Kings 19:12ff
· To Isaiah in a vision in the temple Isaiah 6:1ff
· To Amos in a basket of summer fruit, Amos 8:1
· Through visions, dreams, and symbols.
· Through the Urim and Thummim that the priests consulted. (Divining stones used like dice to discern the Lord’s will in hard to decide matters)
· Through a pillar of fire, a column of smoke,
· and through natural disasters and miraculous wonders …
Since the beginning, God spoke whenever he chose to speak, saying whatever He wanted to say, in any way He chose to say it. But Hebrews boldly asserts that in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. (period.) Jesus Christ is God’s GREATEST and final REVELATION.
The problem was that some of the Jewish Christians were putting too much emphasis on certain Old Testament Prophets. This is understandable when you realize that for thousands of years, the Prophets had been their main way of knowing what God wanted.
When Jesus was still on earth, his Apostles made the same mistake. You may remember what happened when Peter, James and John climbed to the top of a mountain with Jesus. Before their very eyes, Jesus was transformed into a Being of Light. Then, to their amazement, Moses and Elijah suddenly appeared and started talking with Jesus.
For all they knew, these famous Prophets had come to stay. Maybe they would assist Jesus in establishing a powerful Jewish Kingdom right then and there! When Peter saw they were leaving he said to Jesus, “Lord, wouldn’t it be a good idea for us to erect 3 shelters right up here on the mountain – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah?”
But God used this occasion to make something crystal clear, once and for all. 34While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Luke 9:34-35
The message God gave that day is His the message for us today. Jesus is God’s chosen Son. Listen to Him! But so often we see folks --- even in the church --- who would rather listen to:
· a bunch of Psycho-babble from Oprah’s latest guest on TV,
· or the wacky theories of some book like The DaVinci Code where --- based on nothing but vivid imagination --- they have a merely human Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene and fathering a race of offspring that exist even to this day
· Or people choose to believe the pontifications of an Atheistic Professor, thinking his scholarly credentials mean he’s full of real wisdom
· Or people blindly follow the latest new-age fad religion just because some Celebrity said it was fabulous
The tendency of people to ignore the Revelation of God because they think they know better makes me think of an illustration I heard years ago. Perhaps you have heard this before:
The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south.”
Promptly a return message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north.”
The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south—I am the captain!”
Soon another message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north—I am seaman third class Jones.”
Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: “Alter your course 10 degrees south—I am a battleship.”
Then the reply came “Alter your course 10 degrees north—I am the lighthouse.”
When God speaks through his Son, there is no greater authority. Jesus is the Lighthouse. He is the GREATER REVELATION. Hebrews 1:3 explains:
2. Jesus is the Greater Representation: Worship Him! Hebrews 1:3-14
3The 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. Hebrews 1:3
The Greek word for “exact representation” can be used for a stamp that reproduces the exact same image each time it is used. This word was also used to describe the work of an engraver who makes an exact copy of another piece of jewelry. In modern day, it might be like a high-resolution photocopy. Jesus Christ was the express image, an exact copy, because he is the exact essence of his Father. Paul puts it like this: “He is the image of the invisible God. . . . For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” Colossians 1:15, 2:9
This has enormous implications. First of all, Jesus Christ is absolutely unique. He is like no other. No one can compare with him — not Mohammed, not Krishna, not Buddha and not Confucius. Not even Moses or Elijah can compare with Jesus.
In fact, not even supernatural beings can compare. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5For 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”?
6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Hebrews 1:4-6
I’ve noticed there is a renewed interest in Angels lately. People decorate with pictures of angels and little figurines of various kinds. When you go in a Bible Book Store, you see all kinds of Angel figurines and other Angelic decorations.
Recently we’ve seen a rash of TV shows and Movies about Angels. The low point was probably when John Travolta was cast as a chain-smoking, hard-drinking, womanizing angel in the movie called Michael. Angels are nothing like that. But Biblical Angels are also nothing like the pretty figurines we see on the shelves. In the Bible, Angels are majestic and powerful servants of God. They are described in masculine terms and appear as powerful creatures who overwhelm people with their glory.
And the book of Hebrews leaves us no doubt: Jesus is GREATER than any Angel. Look again at Hebrews 1:6: God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Some of the early Christians were listening to false teachers who led them to honor and worship of angels. False teachings like this go back a long way, but they are still with us today. A surprising number of American Christians believe in praying to angels or saints or dead relatives. None of these practices are Biblical. But the traditions are ingrained. We need to remember that no matter how old the tradition, if it contradicts scripture, we need to listen to Jesus, not traditions.
Hebrews 1 takes time to give a detailed “compare-contrast” between Angels and Jesus Christ. These scriptures are as important today as they were in the First Century. Unless you study the teachings of cults, you may not realize that many groups teach that Jesus Christ actually IS an angel. They don’t tell you this when they come to your door, but both the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons teach that Jesus is actually an Angel. To the Mormons he is the brother of another Angel: Lucifer. To the J.W.’s he is the Archangel, Michael.
This is a clear contradiction of Scripture. In the book of Revelation John tells us what happened when he encountered an angel: “I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!” Revelation 19:10
If anyone tries to tell you that Jesus Christ is NOT God, consider this: Scripture tells us to worship ONLY God. And Jesus Christ willingly received worship.
· At his birth, the Wise Men worshiped him (Matthew 2:11).
· When Jesus healed the blind man, the healed man worshiped him (John 9:38).
· After Jesus walked on the water, his Disciples worshiped him (Matthew 14:33).
· After his Resurrection, his Disciples worshiped him (Matthew 28:9).
· And later, when Jesus showed Thomas his wounded hands and side, Thomas fell in worship at his feet and cried out: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
CONCLUSION:
Today, we have the privilege of doing the same thing. We can fall at His feet and worship Jesus Christ --- the unique Son of God --- the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Christ is GREATER than the Angels and the Prophets because his position is superior to theirs. He sits on the Throne at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3
· Angels are servants of God, but Jesus Christ is the chosen and unique Son of God.
· The prophets SPOKE the word of God, but Jesus Christ IS the Word of God (John 1:1)
Jesus is GREATER! The book of Hebrews shouts out that fact! Believe it and act upon it.
