“Jesus is better” is the theme of Hebrews. Written to all Jewish converts, its message was given to help them remain faithful to Christ rather than return to the inferior former covenant. The authorship of this great epistle continues to be a source of great speculation and little confidence.
There are several great truths found in this first chapter. Among them:
God has spoken (v 1). The author affirms the inspiration and former authority of the Old Covenant, noting that God had spoken to their fathers by the prophets.
God speaks to us today through Jesus (v 2). The life and teaching of Christ are also of Divine origin. As such, and being after the first covenant, the teaching of Jesus is our authority today.
Jesus is the Son of God (v 2). Islam claims that God has neither son nor partner in His kingdom (cf Qur’an 17.111). The Hebrews writer dispels both errors in chapter one. But Jesus is not a son in the sense that He did not formerly exist and was brought into existence by His father. Rather, the Lord Jesus was present and called The Word in His preincarnate existence (cf John 1:1-3, 14; Rev 19:13). He became a son when He submitted Himself to God and came to earth that He might die for man’s sin.
Jesus is not just the Son of God, He is God (vv 2-3). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). The Hebrews writer affirms that is was through Jesus that the world and all things were created. The text also affirms, “But to the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever’” (v 8).
John again attests to this fact: “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Paul said the same: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible… all things were created through Him and for Him” (Col 1:16).
Finally, Jesus is not an angel, being greater than them as the object of their worship (vv 5-6). Many Jehovah’s Witness errors are refuted in this text, namely that Jesus is not God, being the archangel Michael.
No matter what may arise to distract you, remember… Jesus is better!
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