Tuesday, July 29 – Hebrews 1, 2

1. Whom did God choose to speak through in these last days? (Hebrews 1:1)

2. What did God use to anoint Christ? (Hebrews 1:9)9)

3. What was Jesus crowned with? (Hebrews 2:7)7)

4. What was the purpose of Jesus taking on flesh and blood? (Hebrews 2:14)

Imagine a conversation between a Hindu and a Christian. The Hindu listens attentively while the Christian briefly summarizes the earthly ministry of Christ Jesus. At the end of the message, four questions may quickly come to mind:

Question: Why did Jesus have to be born?
Answer: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1:18, NKJV)

Question: Why did Jesus have to die?
Answer: “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” (Galatians 1:4, NKJV)

Question: Why did Jesus have to rise again?
Answer: “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” (1 Corinthians 15:14, NKJV)

Question: Why did Jesus have to ascend?
Answer: The book of Hebrews!

Hebrews is a book encouraging discouraged Christians to stay strong in Jesus, considering His complete superiority and what He has done for us.

It starts seriously and straightforwardly, without the usual greetings. It simply begins with “God” (Hebrews 1:1), affirming His existence and the fact that He communicates with humanity. There’s no effort to prove His existence; it’s accepted.

When the author introduces the Son, he gets to the subject’s core. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (SDABC) on Hebrews 1:1-3 explains:

“When Jesus came to earth He laid aside ‘His royal robe and kingly crown’ (5T, p. 182). ‘He preferred to give back the scepter into the Father’s hands, and to step down from the throne of the universe.’ (DA, p. 14). With His ascension He again took the position He had had with the Father before His incarnation… It was important that the Hebrews understand the true position of the Son.” (SDABC, vol. 7, p. 411, on Hebrews 1:1-3).

Christ is depicted as connected with the Father and as an active participant in creation. The SDABC comments on Hebrews 1:2: “God made the worlds through Christ; but He did not use Christ as a tool but as a coworker… He who was to be man’s Redeemer was his Creator; and because He is the Creator, He is able to create man as a ‘new creature.’ (2 Cor. 5:17).” (SDABC, vol. 7, p. 411).

The epistle highlights the supremacy of Christ over prophets (Heb. 1:1-3), angels (Heb. 1:4–2:18), Moses (Heb. 3:1-19), Joshua (Heb. 4:1-16), and Aaron (Heb. 5:1-10).

Briefly analyzing Hebrews 1:1-4, we see that “God has spoken.” This revelation was given in two stages: first through the prophets and finally through the Son, corresponding to the Old and New Testaments. The SDABC especially comments on Hebrews 1:3, emphasizing the greatness of the Son as the perfect reflection of the divine character.

In Hebrews 1:5-8, the superiority of Christ over angels is highlighted. Hebrews 1:5, along with Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14, shows that Christ is uniquely God’s Son, distinct from angels. While angels are collectively called “sons of God” (Job 1:6), none is individually given this title.

Additionally, Hebrews 1:6-7 demonstrates that angels worship and serve Christ. The SDABC connects this with Deuteronomy 32:43 (LXX) and Psalm 104:4. Hebrews 1:6 states: “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’” Jesus is the object of angelic worship, not just another worshiper among them.

Hebrews 2 begins with a warning: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1, NKJV) This highlights the danger of neglecting our faith. Thomas notes that protection from drifting away comes from having Christ as the anchor and rudder of our lives.

In Hebrews 2:17-18, it is highlighted that Jesus became human so he could serve as our merciful and faithful High Priest, capable of aiding those who are tempted. The SDABC explains that only by fully sharing our human nature could Jesus represent us before God.

Finally, Hebrews 4:15-16 concludes this theme, inviting us to come boldly to the throne of grace because we have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses:

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NKJV)

“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” (Ephesians 6:24, NKJV)