The theme of the epistle of Hebrew is the superiority of Jesus Christ.People ask many questions about Jesus Christ. Why Jesus had to be born? Why He had to die? Why He had to be resurrected? Why Jesus ascended to heaven? The answer is the book of Hebrews. Some call this book the fifth Gospel. The first four Gospels explain what Christ did on earth. Hebrews describes what Jesus is doing in heaven. Hebrews may be compared to Romans. Romans reveals the necessity of the Gospel. Hebrews explains the superiority of the Christian faith. Christ is superior to Old Testament prophets. Hebrews starts with no self identification of the author or greetings. There is a sense of urgency in the writing of this letter. During the Old Testament period, God spoke to us in different ways and different times. God spoke to us through dreams, visions and prophets over a period of many years(2Sam 23:2; 2Pet 1:21). This revelation was incomplete and fragmentary. Old Testament Prophets were testifying of Christ(Lk 23:26; John 5:39;Rom 1:2).To Moses God appeared in a burning bush( Ex 3:2) To Elijah he spoke in still small voice(1 King 19:12 ).To Isaiah God spoke in a vision(Is 6:8).But in these last days God has spoken to us through His Son(Heb 1:2). It is the final and complete revelation from the Father. The period of last days begins with Christ's incarnation and ends at His second coming(Heb 9:26). This letter was not written to scare but to encourage the readers.
First,Christ is superior to O.T Prophets because He is the complete revelation of God. He is the Word that became flesh and lived among us. Disciples saw His glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth( John 1:1,14). Jesus revealed the Father to us(John 1;18). He is the living Word and the Bible is the written Word . It is the once for all given Word for our faith and holy living(Jude 1:3) So we do not need any further revelation today but illumination on the Word of God to know Christ..
Secondly, Christ is superior to prophets because He is future heir of all things.All things belong to God(Ps 24:1). Since Jesus is the Son He is the rightful heir of all things (2:5-9). All believers are also the part of His inheritance(Eph 1:18). He owns us by creation and redemption. We are joint heirs with Christ and reign with Him side by side one day. May be it is a reference to millennial reign in the future.
Thirdly, Christ is superior to prophets because He is the creator of all invisible and visible things(Jn 1:3). Father delegated the creation process to Son. In Him and by Him and for Him all things were created.(Col 1:15-17). He is the sovereign source, the divine agent, and for His glory all things were created. He is the first cause of creation(Rev 3:14). We live in a universe that belongs to Christ. In creation we see God's power and wisdom. Scripture says "Christ is the power and wisdom of God"(1Cor 1:24).
Fourthly, Christ is superior over prophets because He is the brightness of God's glory.He represent God exactly. Christ is the radiance of the brightness of God's glory. God is clothed with majesty and glory. He revealed His presence through His glory in the Tabernacle(Ex 40:34).Christ has revealed the invisible God (.John 1:18).Peter said that we are witnesses of His glory.(2 Pet 1:16-18).No angel or prophet could make that claim. Christ is the express image or the imprint of God. Jesus said " I and my Father are one"(John 10:30).He who has seen Christ has seen the Father(John 14:9).Christ is the true God and eternal life(1John 5:20).Great is the mystery of our faith "God was manifest in the flesh"(1 Tim 3:15).
Fifthly,Christ is superior to prophets because He upholds all things by the word of His power. He carries all things into their final destiny. He does control and guide history. You are not your own. He created all things by His word of power for a purpose. (Is 40:26; Jer 32:17).In Christ all things consist.
Sixthly, Christ is superior to prophets because He purged our sins by His atoning sacrifice. Man's sin brought curse and corruption into this world(Gen 3:17). Apart from God , creation is meaningless and heading into decay and death. Christ came to redeem us from the bondage of sin. God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to become a sin offering for us.The one who knew no sin was made sin for us(2 Cor 5:21). Old Testament sacrifices could not remove our sins. But the blood of Christ cleanses us from all our sins(1 John 1:7). Those who believe Christ are declared righteous today upon the merits of Jesus Christ.
Lastly, Christ is superior to prophets because He is the exalted king and the finisher of our faith. He purged our sins once for all and sat down on the right hand of the majesty in heaven. This is in direct contrast to the old testament priestly ministry. They offer repeated sacrifices for sin and continually standing. There was no chair in the Tabernacle and priest were not allowed to sit there. Christ died only once to take away our sins. On the cross He said "It is finished". There is nothing left for Him to do for our salvation. Salvation is a gift from God and just receive it by faith. First He came to take away our sins. He will come again for those who wait for Him. Do you know this great Savior? Are you ready to welcome Him?
First,Christ is superior to O.T Prophets because He is the complete revelation of God. He is the Word that became flesh and lived among us. Disciples saw His glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth( John 1:1,14). Jesus revealed the Father to us(John 1;18). He is the living Word and the Bible is the written Word . It is the once for all given Word for our faith and holy living(Jude 1:3) So we do not need any further revelation today but illumination on the Word of God to know Christ..
Secondly, Christ is superior to prophets because He is future heir of all things.All things belong to God(Ps 24:1). Since Jesus is the Son He is the rightful heir of all things (2:5-9). All believers are also the part of His inheritance(Eph 1:18). He owns us by creation and redemption. We are joint heirs with Christ and reign with Him side by side one day. May be it is a reference to millennial reign in the future.
Thirdly, Christ is superior to prophets because He is the creator of all invisible and visible things(Jn 1:3). Father delegated the creation process to Son. In Him and by Him and for Him all things were created.(Col 1:15-17). He is the sovereign source, the divine agent, and for His glory all things were created. He is the first cause of creation(Rev 3:14). We live in a universe that belongs to Christ. In creation we see God's power and wisdom. Scripture says "Christ is the power and wisdom of God"(1Cor 1:24).
Fourthly, Christ is superior over prophets because He is the brightness of God's glory.He represent God exactly. Christ is the radiance of the brightness of God's glory. God is clothed with majesty and glory. He revealed His presence through His glory in the Tabernacle(Ex 40:34).Christ has revealed the invisible God (.John 1:18).Peter said that we are witnesses of His glory.(2 Pet 1:16-18).No angel or prophet could make that claim. Christ is the express image or the imprint of God. Jesus said " I and my Father are one"(John 10:30).He who has seen Christ has seen the Father(John 14:9).Christ is the true God and eternal life(1John 5:20).Great is the mystery of our faith "God was manifest in the flesh"(1 Tim 3:15).
Fifthly,Christ is superior to prophets because He upholds all things by the word of His power. He carries all things into their final destiny. He does control and guide history. You are not your own. He created all things by His word of power for a purpose. (Is 40:26; Jer 32:17).In Christ all things consist.
Sixthly, Christ is superior to prophets because He purged our sins by His atoning sacrifice. Man's sin brought curse and corruption into this world(Gen 3:17). Apart from God , creation is meaningless and heading into decay and death. Christ came to redeem us from the bondage of sin. God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to become a sin offering for us.The one who knew no sin was made sin for us(2 Cor 5:21). Old Testament sacrifices could not remove our sins. But the blood of Christ cleanses us from all our sins(1 John 1:7). Those who believe Christ are declared righteous today upon the merits of Jesus Christ.
Lastly, Christ is superior to prophets because He is the exalted king and the finisher of our faith. He purged our sins once for all and sat down on the right hand of the majesty in heaven. This is in direct contrast to the old testament priestly ministry. They offer repeated sacrifices for sin and continually standing. There was no chair in the Tabernacle and priest were not allowed to sit there. Christ died only once to take away our sins. On the cross He said "It is finished". There is nothing left for Him to do for our salvation. Salvation is a gift from God and just receive it by faith. First He came to take away our sins. He will come again for those who wait for Him. Do you know this great Savior? Are you ready to welcome Him?
