JESUS IS BETTER
HEBREWS 1:1-4
HEBREWS 1:1-4 NKJ
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 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; 3 who being the 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, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
The book of Hebrews was written as an appeal to Jewish believers. Many had left Judaism but were now facing intense persecution from their fellow Jews. This persecution was strong enough to make some abandon their new faith for the old Jewish laws.
Hebrews is designed to show that Jesus is better. He is better than angels, Moses, the Aaronic priesthood, and the law. Throughout the book, the writer shows that staying with Jesus is far better than going back to the Jewish law.
In the first two verses, the writer gives another subtle comparison. God spoke to our Jewish ancestors by the prophets. But in the last days, God has spoken to us by His Son. The Son is better than the prophets.
He then describes the Son in ways we do not see in the other gospels. The brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person. It doesn't get any stronger than that.
And the writer is not done. Jesus is the One who by Himself purged our sins and sat down at the right hand of God. The writer of Hebrews starts in with the fact that none of the Old Testament heroes or prophets can compare with Jesus, God's Son.
Then He states that Jesus is better than the angels. So much better. Higher in person and higher in authority. Jesus is just better.
Application
Don't be intimidated by the book of Hebrews. It is a rather deep theological book, but there are so many great truths we can glean from this letter. Keep in mind the book is a comparison and that Jesus is presented as Supreme. We are so blessed that we don't ever have to go back to the old ways or Old Testament. We have Jesus, the strong Son of God.
Prayer
Father, thank You that I am part of the New Covenant that Jesus bought for me. He purged my sins and has given me a new life, and I am thankful.