In
the deep recesses of man's soul lies an overwhelming yearning toward the
Creator. This is a common thread
through all humanity, created in the image of God. Unless and until that desire is fully met, the human
soul remains restless, constantly striving
for that which is ultimately unattainable.
To
any discerning Christian, it is easy to see that men and women are in an awful spiritual moral mess today. A person must know
where he is before he can comprehend
where he needs to be. The solution, however, is not within the scope of human endeavor. The highest ideal or
accomplishment of man is to break from the spiritual
bondage and enter into the presence of God, knowing that you have entered welcomed territory.
Within
every human breast rages this desire, driving him forward. Many a person confuses the object of that desire and spends
his or her entire life striving for the unobtainable.
Very simply put, the great passion in the heart of every human being, who are created in the image of God, is to
experience the awesome majesty of God's presence.
The highest accomplishment of humanity is entering the overwhelming presence
of God. Nothing else can satiate this burning thirst. . . .
It
is God's great pleasure for us to fully rest in His presence, moment by moment.
God created man expressly for the use
of His pleasure and fellowship. Nothing in or of this world measures up to the simple pleasure of experiencing the
presence of God. . . .
However,
several things stand in the way of man's striving toward the presence of God in
personal, intimate
familiarity. . . . The greatest hindrance, of course, is the fact that God is unapproachable. Sin has created an
unmanageable debt for all humanity. The good
news, however, is that Christ has paid the
debt and bridged the gap to God for all. . .
. Religion does it through what is referred to as 'good works,' resulting in
emptiness and a deep-seated sense
of guilt that nothing can wash away. . . .
The
human heart knows that it cannot enter into the presence of God, because it has
rebelled against God. . . . The
act of rebellion must be pardoned completely, and the rebel restored to
full citizenship in the kingdom of God, to be made a child of the Father. All
of that was done in Christ.
.
. . Man cannot enter the presence of God with the foul scent of sin upon him. .
. . . To come into the presence of God, we must conform in
every way to His standard. . . . The blood
of Jesus Christ accomplished
this stupendous act! . . . He single-handedly purged our sins. He alone could do it, so He did it alone. . . . the Son
operated alone and single- handedly fulfilled all the requirements for
man's redemption. Therefore, the foul scent of sin
upon man can be washed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross. . . . [1]
Tozer goes on to say that
humanity has slowly but surely lost a sense of the majesty of God. He blames
Darwin and Evolutionary theory in part for this. And with the loss of the sense
of the majesty of God humanity has lost the sense of the presence of God. His
book and more importantly the New Testament book of Hebrews, fans the flame of
holy desire to seek out and experience the holy presence of a very present God.
He concludes the first chapter in his book by stating, "The good news is
that the heart of man truly hungers for God's presence and that all of the
great barriers prohibiting that striving after God have been overcome in Jesus
Christ." [2] Then
Tozer includes the following poem by Oliver Holden (1765-1844):
God is Present Everywhere
They who seek the
throne of grace
Find that throne
in every
place;
If we live a life
of prayer,
God is present
everywhere.
In our sickness
and our health,
In our want, or in
our wealth,
If we look to God
in prayer,
God is present
everywhere.
When our earthly
comforts fail,
When the woes of
life prevail,
'Tis the time for
earnest
prayer;
God is present
everywhere.
Then, my soul, in
every strait,
To thy Father
come, and wait;
He will answer
every prayer;
God is present everywhere.
The book of Hebrews is about God's Provision for Coming into His
Presence. Jesus is that provision and therefore it doesn't or shouldn't
surprise us that Hebrews is a book centered on Jesus redemptive provision.
Why do we call this book “Hebrews”?
What evidence is there that this book is written to Hebrew/Jewish believers in
Jesus? Hebrews deals with many things of interest to Jewish audience, e.g. Law,
sacrificial system, Temple. Hence the name Hebrews.
When was this book written? No
mention of the destruction of the Temple (which occurred in 70 AD). It's not
likely a book to this Jewish audience would not mention such an event if it had
happened. Therefore it was written sometime before 70 AD between 30-37 years
after resurrection of Jesus.
Who did God use to record His
inspired word? There is no mention in the epistle of the human author's
identity. The most popular candidates for the human authors (or amanuensis -
secretary who recorded what God inspired) are Luke, Apollos, and Paul. Personally
I see the hand of the apostle Paul involved. In reality and the thing to keep
in mind is that it is "God, who at
various times and in various ways spoke in time past" who is the
Author of this letter (Heb. 1:1). It is clearly a writing inspired by God. God
is the Author. That is the most important thing to accept.
Hebrews is written to Jews who
had accepted Jesus as their Savior-Messiah but who apparently were in danger of
returning to their old religious ritualistic ways. The message of Hebrews is in
part, “If you go back
to the old religion and ritual, you nullify the work Christ did on the Cross
for you. Don’t complicate your faith. Keep it simple. Keep it focused. Keep it
centered on Jesus.”[3] Hebrews is God's inspired
response that Jesus is superior to the old religious system and His supreme
solution to the problems of sinful humanity.
What issues are addressed in this
book?
1.
Nature of Jesus versus Angels / Fallen Men –
Hebrews 1-2
2.
Belief/Faith versus Unbelief – Hebrews 3; 11
3.
Rest versus work – Hebrews 4
4.
Priesthood of Jesus (Melchizedek) versus Old
Priesthood and sacrificial system – Hebrews 5; 7; 8
5.
Spiritual growth versus Lack of spiritual growth
– Hebrews 6; 12
6.
New versus Old Covenant – Hebrews 8; 13
7.
Jesus' Sacrifice versus Animal sacrifice – Hebrews 9; 10
Why was this book was written?
What is at stake? What important issue is being addressed? The purpose of
Hebrews is to clearly lay out God’s
provision (Jesus) for coming into His presence. And a sub point is that the
Old Covenant of works is not the way into God's presence, the New Covenant of
grace through faith in Jesus is God's means and provision to come into His
presence. Hebrews 4:16 as a primary verse window through which to study the
contents:
·
Hebrews
4:16 (NKJV) - Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
In order to facilitate a grasp of
the content of Hebrews the chapters could be headed as follows:
Chapter Titles
Chapter 1 – Jesus – God’s Supreme
Revelation
Chapter 2 – Jesus – God’s Great
Savior
Chapter 3 – Jesus – One Greater
Than Moses
Chapter 4 – Jesus - God’s Highest
Priest Offers Rest
Chapter 5 – Jesus – God’s
Perfected High Priest
Chapter 6 – Jesus – God’s
Perfecting High Priest
Chapter 7 – Jesus – God’s High
Priest of a Better Covenant
Chapter 8 – Jesus – God’s
Heavenly New Covenant Provider
Chapter 9 – Jesus – God’s High
Priest Provision (He offered Himself as Sacrifice)
Chapter 10 – Jesus – God’s
Confident Way to Enter His Presence
Chapter 11 – Jesus – God’s
Promise worth Trusting
Chapter 12 – Jesus – Author and
Finisher of our Faith
Chapter 13 – Jesus – The One who
will Never Forsake You
Hebrews can be outlined as
follows:
I.
God Making His Presence Known: Jesus - God's
Supreme Revelation of Himself – 1-3:6
II.
God Making His Presence Accessible: Enter the
Rest He Provides – 3:7-4:13
III.
God Showing The Way Into His Presence: Jesus - A
High Priest Superior to Any Other – 4:14 – 5:11
IV.
God Declaring The Only Way Into His Presence: Jesus
- A Reliable High Priest Not to Be Rejected – 5:12 – 8:6
V.
God Explaining His Way Into His Presence: Jesus
- A New Covenant Superior to the Old – 8:7 – 10:18
VI.
God Defining His Presence in Terms of
Relationship: Jesus – Covenant of Faith Relationship – 10:19 – 12:29
VII.
God Revealing the Practical Nature of His
Presence: Jesus – Inspired Practical Ways – 13:1-25
God's Provision to Come into His Presence
Jesus – God’s Supreme Revelation – Hebrews 1
The book of Hebrews is about
coming into God’s presence. It contrasts the Old versus the New Covenants in
light of this. Jesus is the prime and sole means of coming into the presence of
God. Therefore it isn’t a surprise that Hebrews begins with the first two
chapters devoted to establishing the supremacy of Jesus.
The first two chapters of Hebrews
are of great value in establishing the supremacy of Jesus and establishing His
nature. Jesus is higher and distinct from created angelic beings. Jesus is the
God-Man. Jesus is the God-Man so that He can serve as the perfect priest; an
arbitrator and representative between God and humanity.
Hebrews 1 (NKJV)
God, who at various times and in various
ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
God speaks. The word "spoke" (Greek laleo) means to talk, utter words, preach, say, speak, talk, tell. God speaks.
God is present and makes Himself accessible.
God is not far off and mysteriously unapproachable. Quite the contrary, God
speaks to humanity from the beginning of creation. God interacts and makes His
heart known to humanity. If we want to know God, He will allow us to know Him.
He states through Jeremiah, " And
you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jer.
29:13). Interested? If you are listen to the promise of Jesus:
·
Luke
11:9–13 (NKJV) - 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and
you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who
asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he
give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent
instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a
scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask Him!”
God is here. If
you want to know Him just ask in faith; ask in Jesus name and trust in Him. God
is here. God is knowable. That's what Hebrews is all about.
God speaks to us through history through
inspired written words. While He used human agents, and we may argue about
such human agents or authors, God is the ultimate Author of what we find in the
Bible. The Bible is God-breathed (cf.
"inspired" - theopneustos -
2 Timothy 3:16-17). What we find on the pages of our Bibles are His words that
reveal His heart and His truth, His way.
You may be in
dire straits or going through deep depression. You may feel as though God is
silent when you call. But these opening words of Hebrews fly in the face of
those who accuse God of being silent. These words proclaim loud and clear God still speaks!
How does God speak? God speaks at "various times," and in "various ways."
“Various times” would refer to the times
of Genesis through Revelation. There remains a spiritual gift of prophesy for
today whereby a person with this gift is empowered by the Spirit to edify,
exhort and comfort God’s people (1 Cor. 14:3). The gift of prophesy can also be
predictive of future events. A predictive prophetic word that is genuinely from
the Lord will not contradict God or His word (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). It will be
measureable and 100% accurate (cf. Deuteronomy 18:21-22). That is the standard
of God for the prophet. Persons speaking prophetically are to be assessed by
those in the church (1 Corinthians 14:29).
“Various ways” would generally refer to
how God has revealed Himself in nature (e.g. Psalm 19; Romans 1), through human
conscience (Romans 1 and 2) and angelic beings More specifically, "various
ways" refers to God speaking to and then through prophets (e.g. 2 Peter
1:16-21). To Joseph (Gen. 37 and 40) and Daniel (Daniel 2; 7-11) God revealed
His plans through dreams and the ability to interpret dreams. Ezekiel was
instructed by God to use models (Ezekiel 4) or act out God’s message (Ezekiel
12). God also empowered prophets to do miraculous signs such as with Elijah and
Elisha (1 and 2 Kings). There are many ways God discloses Himself to humanity.
This opening
verse speaks to the inspiration of the prophets. Those books of the Old
Testament written by prophets were inspired by God and accepted as canonical.
They were without error and there was a continuity with God’s revelation.
God's greatest
and central theme of His revelation is Jesus. Hebrews opens with statements on
these attributes of Jesus.
2 has in these last days
spoken to us by His Son,
First, Jesus is God's Supreme and Clearest revelation
of Himself. God is not silent. God speaks. God has spoken to humanity
"by His Son" Jesus. God’s
greatest most holy and pure revelation of Himself and His will is found in
Jesus Christ. Jesus is the word made flesh (cf. John 1:1-3 and 14). God's word
is truth (John 17:17). Therefore Jesus is the embodiment of God's truth about
Himself and our existence. This is the stated purpose of Jesus for His
incarnation (cf. John 18:37).
I like how Jon
Courson illustrates this point when he says:
I see them coming,
marching rather orderly up the steps. The ants are definitely headed this way.
“Slow
down,” I say. “Back off. Run! I know after third service, the boys will bring
the vacuums out, and you’ll be sucked up and cast into outer darkness. You’ll
go into that black bag, where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of ant
teeth. Turn away! Flee while you can!”
But
not a single ant heeds my warning. Why? Because I’m so big they don’t even
acknowledge my presence.
So
I go backstage and start flicking the lights on and off. Thus, the heavens
declare to them that someone is masterfully working the controls. But the ants
just look up and don’t get it.
So
I grab a couple of them and say, “You have to speak to your brothers. You have
to tell them that a vacuum is on the way and that destruction is imminent. But
even these prophet ants don’t clearly understand my message.
My
next plan is to hope that maybe some of them will come to their senses and
their consciences will stir them to see that they belong not in the sanctuary,
but outside. Some do, and they say, “You know, guys, we really shouldn’t be in
here.”
“Oh,
come on,” the others say. “That’s old-fashioned.”
So I see I have only
one option left to bring about their salvation: I need to become one of them.
As an ant, I need to go into their midst and say, “Listen, guys. I know where
I’m coming from. I know what happens in this sanctuary on Sunday afternoon. I’m
the boss. You’re going to get sucked up. But if you follow me, I know where the
back door is. I’ll lead you to salvation.” That is the Incarnation—God becoming
Man, the Word becoming flesh.[4]
When fallen
sinful humanity was too dull to see the order of the Creator in His creation,
and when they ignored His promptings in conscience, and when He sent prophets
and they too were resisted, finally God came Himself in Jesus.
Jesus is the key
to understanding God's word and revelation:
You
will never understand the Old Testament, Paul’s epistles, or the Revelation of John if you don’t understand the
language in which they were written. And the language is “in the Son.” This is where Bible teachers and students
really miss the boat in many cases.
They let the apostle Paul or the prophets interpret Jesus. Wrong. Jesus
interprets the law. Jesus
interprets Paul. Jesus interprets the Old Testament prophets. If you want the Bible to have a full message and
if you want to share it effectively, you’ve got to understand that it’s written in the Son. That’s the key to
unlocking the whole Bible. Any interpretation
of any passage of Scripture that contradicts the nature of the Son as seen in the gospels is amiss. But those who look
at everything in the Word through the lens of Jesus
will be amazed at how clear the Word becomes.[5]. . .
When you come to a crossroads of
wondering what God’s will is, look at Calvary and be reminded once again that if God loved you enough to die for you,
there is no doubt He will do what’s
best for you.
“Why aren’t
I hearing from God?” people ask. “I’m going to prayer meetings. I’m reading lots of good books. I’m
reading the Bible.” The answer could be they’re not listening for Him through the Son.
Amazed to be standing in the presence of
the miracle-worker and the lawgiver on the Mount
of Transfiguration, Peter said, “Let’s build booths for Elijah and Moses—and one for Jesus, too.”
But God interrupted
Peter and said of Jesus, “This is My beloved Son. Hear ye Him.” And when Peter
looked around, he “saw no man save Jesus only” (see Matthew 17:8)—for as vital as the law and the
prophets might be, they are inconsequential in comparison
to the Word made flesh. Therefore, as you study the Law and the prophets,
the Gospels and the Epistles, look for Jesus in every passage. For truly in these last days, God has spoken. He has
spoken in His Son.[6]
Notice too that
the writer of Hebrews refers to the times of his writing as the “last days.”
Therefore we can say that the “last days” began sometime in close proximity to
the writing of Hebrews up until our day. Some might question the duration of
the last days and that it seems long, but to God a thousand years is as a day
and a day as a thousand years (e.g. 2 Peter 3). To One in eternity "last
days," holds a different perspective than to those living finitely. We are
living in the “last days.” Come Lord Jesus!
whom He has appointed heir of all things,
Second, Jesus, God's Heir, owns all things. An
"heir" (Greek kleronomos) is someone apportioned an inheritance, a possessor, inheritor. Humanly
speaking a person inherits what is left behind by a parent. Since God is
eternal and will never cease to exist He is simply condescending to the use of
words that humanity can relate to. By using the idea of an "heir" God
is simply stating that Jesus is the
Possessor of all things. Jesus owns it all; everything in the universe.
Jesus is “appointed” by God. “Appointed” (Greek tithemi ) means to be set in place or be put in position. God has put Jesus in this
position of prominence. Hebrews is a perfect revelation of the prominence of
Jesus. Muhammad, or Krishna, nor any other figure is mentioned with such
centrality. Jesus is the One appointed by God to represent Him. Who better to
represent God than God Himself?
Jesus is the “heir of all things” because he is the “firstborn” (Col 1:15) in that He is in
the preeminent position of humanity and therefore the heir who oversees all
things. Jesus is eternal in nature. We will see this later in Hebrews (cf.
Hebrews 13:8).
I like what
Bible teacher Jon Courson comments on this revealed aspect of Jesus. He states:
The Father has willed everything to the Son, and we are His inheritance (Ephesians 1:11). This explains the parable Jesus
told in Matthew 13 about a man who walked through
a field, found a treasure, and bought the field in order to take out the
treasure. What is that parable
about? It’s not about us selling everything to buy the treasure of the gospel. No, for in an earlier parable in
the same chapter, Jesus says the field is the world. Jesus bought the world with His own blood. Why? Because
He wanted the world? No, because He
wanted the treasure. What is the treasure? We are. We are His inheritance. Amazing![7]
You might not think of
yourself in terms of "treasure," but Jesus does. From the beginning
God has revealed in His word that His people are His "special treasure" (e.g. Exodus 19:5; Deut. 7:6). Remember that
next time you feel worthless or like you're nothing. God sees you as
"treasure."
through whom also He made the worlds;
Third, Jesus is our Creator. Jesus (e.g.
John 1) and God the Father (e.g. Genesis 1) worked together in Creation. "The Father as the Architect (Genesis 1:1), the Son as
the Contractor (John 1:1), and the Holy Spirit as the Carpenter (Genesis 1:2).
The analogy is far from perfect, but the fact is all three Persons of the
Godhead were involved in the creative process. Creation occurred from the Father, by the Son, through the
Holy Spirit." [8]
“Worlds” (Greek aion ) means ages and by
implication the worlds of the ages. Paul writes of Jesus' creative nature in
Colossians stating, “For by Him all things
were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were
created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all
things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17).
3 who being the brightness
of His glory
Fourth, Jesus is God's glorious reflection
of Himself. Jesus reflects the brightness of the glory of God. “Brightness” (Greek apaugasma ) is reflected
glory. If you want to see the glory of God look to Jesus. Jesus reflects
the nature and therefore glory of God.
The glory of God
was revealed to Moses when God walked before him, proclaimed His name, and
permitted Moses to see God's back (Exodus 33 and 34). But God explained back
then to Moses (Exodus 33:20) and Paul reiterated similarly (1 Tim. 6:15-16)
that man cannot see God face to face in the fullness of His glory. For a man,
as presently constituted, to see God in His complete glorious essence would be
too much for him. Jesus however is the
brightness of the glory of God. And when we are with Him in glory, having
received glorified bodies, we will see God as we should (e.g. 1 Cor. 13:12).
The apostle John explains this saying:
·
1 John
3:1–3 (NKJV) - Behold what manner of
love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved,
now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see
Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies
himself, just as He is pure.
John is speaking
of Jesus when he says this. We may not understand yet all of what this means.
It is pretty heady stuff to contemplate the glory of God. Suffice it to say as
God says in Hebrews, Jesus is, " the
brightness of His glory."
and the express image of His person,
Fifth, Jesus is exactly God. “Express image” (Greek charackter ) means exact likeness. The idea is derived from how metal was imprinted
with the image of Caesar's "express image," or exact likeness." The comparison made through the word is not
of the image on the stamp to the human likeness but the stamp to the imprint
made. Again we see God's condescending to humans with words chosen to help us
understand that when we look at Jesus we see God as He actually is (compare
John 14:8-9).
and upholding all things by the word of His
power,
Sixth, Jesus is our Sustainer. Jesus “upholds” (Greek phero) or bears, carries,
upholds “all things by the word of
His power.” Creation was spoken into existence by God (Genesis 1-2). One of
the prime attributes of God is His creative capability. But what follows from
that is the attribute of God to maintain that which He has created. Both of
these attributes are associated with Jesus here. Jesus is God.
God creates with
His word (Genesis 1 - "Then God said. . ."). Jesus is God and
therefore He creates with His words. When we think of the sustaining power of
Jesus (compare Col. 1:15-17) to hold all things together we can apply such
power to how the very smallest of sub-atomic particles of atoms are held
together. We owe the universal order and cohesion to Jesus. God is orderly by
nature (e.g. order of creation; order of the Tabernacle and Temple; order of
God's sacrificial system and Law; and the order of His work in the church - 1
Cor. 14:33 and 40). AS the Second Person of the Trinity Jesus orders things
too. But the upholding together of Jesus goes beyond the material universe.
Jesus sustains with His Word. Jesus
holds our relationships together. Jesus holds our marriages, families and
friendships together. When a tear in the fabric of our relationships
occurs, we need to turn to Jesus for mending. And the particular instrument of
mending Jesus uses to restore and strengthen relationships is His word or "the word of His
power." God's word is our guide in life. God's word is also the needle
used by Jesus to transplant His new hearts for our old sinful one, to suture
our cuts and perform surgery on our soul. Jesus uses His Word to hold us
together (e.g. Psalm 119).
I want to
encourage you to get into God's word and let it get into you. "The Bible can be read aloud from cover to cover in
seventy-one hours. That’s only twelve-and-a-half minutes a day for one year."[9]
There is no better and more spiritually beneficial discipline than to
prayerfully read through the Bible each year. year after year you will grow
deeper and deeper in your understanding of God and your relationship with God.
when He had by Himself purged our sins,
Seventh, Jesus alone is Our Purifier. Jesus
“by Himself” and by Himself alone, “purged our sins.” “Purged” (Greek poieo)
means lighten the ship of, have purged,
shoot out, purged. Jesus threw out our sins at the cross. He did all that
was necessary to make a way for our sins to be thrown away. Satan tries to
throw back into our lives and thoughts the sinful things we, through Jesus,
have thrown out. Don't let him do it! Don't take back what in Christ has been
thrown away.
When it states
specifically that Jesus purged our sins "by
Himself," it is likely meant to address right from the start that no
work needed to or could be added to the completed purifying work of Jesus. It
is pointless to return to the old religious ritualistic works of the past when
by faith all that is needed to receive purification from all sin is available
in and through Jesus. The high priest and the priests of the Temple under the
Old Covenant had to perform a lot of work to sacrifice animals and maintain the
rituals. Those were all a shadow and
illustration of what Jesus would fulfill on the cross. Now that Jesus had
completed what God pictured and prophesied in the Old Covenant, they had
fulfilled their purpose and all focus and reliance for salvation from sin could
and should be placed on Jesus. Jesus alone is our Purifier.
sat down at the right hand of the Majesty
on high,
Eighth, Jesus is our King. Jesus sat
down at the “right hand of the Majesty
on high” which is the highest position; a position equal with God. He sat
down because His redemptive work to deal with sin was completed. On one can add
to it through works or human authored traditions. Jesus' redemptive work is
complete. All humanity is to do is by faith receive it as a gift of God's
grace.
From the opening
verses we are told that the work of redemption is completed in Jesus. This is
important because later on it will become the basis for showing that there no
longer is a need for animal sacrifice (Hebrews 7-10).
What is Jesus
doing at the right hand of God? Sometimes He stands to welcome martyred saints
as He did with Stephen (cf. Acts 7:54-56), but according to what is later
stated in Hebrews, Jesus is interceding on our behalf before the Father (cf.
Heb. 7:25; and also Romans 8:34). Jesus is praying for you and for me. Thank
You Jesus. Your prayers get us through!
4 having become so much better
than the angels,
Ninth, Jesus is Superior to angels. Angels
are created beings (and this would include Lucifer or the devil). As such they
are below their Creator. Jesus is eternal in nature; He has no beginning or
end; He always was, always is; and always will be (cf. John 1; Rev. 1:8, 11;
22:12-13). No angel could claim what is claimed about Jesus in this first
chapter of Hebrews. It is very clear from what God inspires and reveals in
these opening words that Jesus is no angel.
Jesus is not an
angel as Jehovah’s Witnesses claim. Jesus is not the brother of the archangel
Michael as they claim. Jesus is not the brother of Lucifer like the Mormons
say. Jesus is “so much better than
angels.” “Better” (Greek kreitton) is a word that means of better in nature and quality. Eternal
Jesus is better than finite created angels. When the Jehovah's Witnesses or
Mormons knock on your, take them to the book of Hebrews chapter one and two and
show them who Jesus really is.
Another
important interesting piece of information to deduce from the contrast of Jesus
to angels is that the Old Covenant seems to have been provided to Moses by God
through angels (cf. Deut. 33:2; Heb. 2:2; Gal. 3:19). But the New Covenant is
delivered by God Himself in Jesus to humanity. This will be further noted later
in our study of Hebrews but it should be mentioned here that the New Covenant
is superior to the Old based on God's personal deliverance of it.
It's important
we see Jesus for Who He is. He is not an angel. God did not send an
"angel" to die on the cross. God sent His only Son, the Son of Man,
the Perfect Representative sinless Man, God in the flesh, to atone by death on
the cross. And we know Jesus' atoning substitutionary sacrifice on the cross
was perfectly acceptable and met all of God's just requirements because He
arose from the dead just as He said He would. God's revealed mystery of
salvation is God manifested in Jesus dying on the cross for lost humanity (e.g.
1 Tim. 3:16).
as He has by inheritance obtained a more
excellent name than they.
Tenth, Jesus has a better resume than
angels. Jesus is “better” than angels in that He has accomplished far more
than they ever could, e.g. in creation,
in sustaining what He has created, and at the cross and resurrection. And
because of His redemptive work His name is exalted and everyone knee will bow
before it (cf. Phil. 2:9-11).
5 For to which of the
angels did He ever say:
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
Eleventh, Jesus is endorsed by the Father. Jesus is better than
angels because He is God’s “My Son”
(cf. Psalm 2:7). Cultists may try to
say, "See, Jesus was 'begotten.' That means he had a beginning." But
that is not the way the word is to be applied here. Similarly in Jeremiah 31:9
Ephraim is referred to as the firstborn of Joseph. But Manasseh was Joseph's
firstborn. What gives? What gives is that the idea of a "firstborn"
child is not limited to precedence but
also is used to emphasis or express priority.
While Manasseh was actually birthed first, Ephraim was given priority in
inheritance and the outworking of God. This is how "begotten" is
being used regarding Jesus here. (cf. also Genesis 48 and Jacob's blessing of
Joseph's sons.)
And again:
“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?
God is Father to Jesus His Son
(cf. 2 Sam. 7:14). No angel could ever make such a claim. As the direct
offspring of the Father Jesus is by nature linked to the Father and therefore
God.
6 But when He again brings
the firstborn into the world, He says:
“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Twelfth, Jesus is worshipped as God. God
instructs the angels to worship Jesus (Psalm 97:7). Worship is restricted to
God alone (Deut. 6:13; Matthew 4:10). Therefore, again Jesus is asserted and
equated to be God.
7 And of the angels He
says:
“Who makes His angels spirits
And His ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But to the Son He
says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the
scepter of Your kingdom.
Thirteenth, Jesus is righteous
as God. Angels and Jesus are
contrasted (cf. Psalm 45:6-7). God makes His angels spirits; He creates and
empowers them. But Jesus is eternal in nature not created. He is referred to as
enthroned and “O God.” Jesus is “forever and ever.” Jesus holds the
scepter of righteousness and rules the Kingdom. If God the Father refers to His
Son Jesus as "O God," then
that's the end of the story.
If we ever wonder how God will judge all individual humanity with all
of their individual circumstances and do it justly, we need only look to this
verse. The scepter or symbol of authority of Jesus, according to the Father, is
a "scepter of righteousness." Jesus
will judge righteously and equitably when the time comes to judge the world
(cf. Rev. 16:7).
9 You have loved righteousness and hated
lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has
anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your
companions.”
Fourteenth, Jesus is a reservoir of gladness. Because of Jesus'
love of righteousness and hatred of lawlessness He was anointed with gladness. "Gladness" (Greek agalliasis) means gladness, exceeding joy, extreme joy, exulting joy. Jesus is a
model for us here. His anointing with gladness and joy is directly linked to
His love of righteousness and hatred of sin. "Happiness and holiness go hand in hand." [10] Jesus is described as the
"Man of sorrows" by Isaiah (Isaiah 53:3). But He was also
characterized a magnetic gladness and joy the drew people to Him. Jesus was and
is holy. His holiness wasn't a stuffy legalism. Jesus had genuine joy and this
was the fruit of His holy living. If we want to be joyful and glad, seek to
walk as Jesus walked in holiness (e.g. 1 John 2:6).
Jesus is anointed “more than Your companions,” or more
than angels or mere men. As God-Man He is greater not only than angels but men.
And His greatness is revealed in His holy life that led to His happy life.
10 And:
“You, Lord, in the
beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your
hands.
Jesus is Creator.
11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a
garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”
These words speak of the eternal
nature of Jesus. One day Jesus will provide a New Heaven and a New Earth (cf.
Rev. 21-22). But the One constant and eternal presence will be Jesus.
13 But to which of the
angels has He ever said:
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your
footstool”?
Jesus is superior to angels. God
told Jesus to sit at His right hand; the place of equal honor and glory. He
said that to no angel because it would not have been appropriate to do so (cf.
Psalm 110). Jesus is God. And Jesus, as
God, incarnated to reveal God Himself to humanity in a very real, up front and
personal, present way. Jesus is God Himself providing a way to come into the
presence of God. Through Jesus we have fellowship with God (e.g. 1 John 1).
14 Are they not all
ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit
salvation?
Angels are God's servants. They
have a place, a real place, in His work. Angels are used by God to protect
(e.g. Psalm 91:11), they rejoice when sinners are saved (e.g. Luke 15), they
bring people to their eternal places (Luke 16), and they open prison doors and
set captives free (Acts 5 and 12). But Jesus is not counted among their number.
Jesus is their Master. Jesus is superior and supremely above them. Jesus is
God. Jesus is God's Supreme revelation of Himself.
As we come to the end of chapter
one in Hebrews maybe you noticed something in the context that is a valuable
lesson for us. From verse five to the end of the chapter eight verses of
scripture are quoted or alluded to as the basis for what is being asserted
about Jesus (verse 5: Psalm 2:7 and 2 Sam. 7:13-14; verse 6: Deut. 32:43 and
Psalm 97:7; verse 7: Psalm 104:4; verse 8-9: Psalm 45:6-7; verses 10-12:Psalm
102:25-27; and verse 13: Psalm 110:1). What does this tell us? It tells us inspired scripture is the basis of God's
revelation and should be quoted or referenced as the basis of any God ordained,
God approved, God authorized authority about His truth. A point being made
is as powerful and authoritative as it is based on scripture. Just like we see
scripture referenced here to make a point and substantiate a point we should
rely on scripture when we make points too. There is no getting around God's
word. If we want the truth, if we want to know God, if we want to know His
will, we must go too His word and base our decisions and doctrine on His word.
Context teaches us this in this first chapter and therefore context is shown as
an important aspect of God's word as well as our studies in God's word.
Remember that as you continue in the study of His word and pursuit of living in
His presence.
[1] A.W.
Tozer, Experiencing the Presence of God:
Teachings from the Book of Hebrews. (Bethany House Pub.: Bloomington,
Minn.) 2010. Kindle edition 2011. Excerpts from chapter one "Striving
Toward God's Presence."
[2] Ibid.
Tozer at the end of chapter one.
[3] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1435). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[4] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (pp. 1440–1441). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[5] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1442). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[6] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1443). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[7] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1436). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[8] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1436). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[9] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1446). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[10] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1438). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
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