Hebrews 1 (7)

Introduction
There can be no mistaking the theme of the book of Hebrews: Jesus is the Greatest! Whatever those first readers (Hebrew Christians) were thinking about turning to other than Jesus was, the writer will demonstrate, a serious mistake. Nothing in this world is greater than angels. Every Hebrew knew that. And Jesus is greater than angels.

Read Philippians 2.5-11 and Ephesians 1.15-23.

Read and Meditate on Hebrews 1.

Think it through.
1.  Let’s keep in mind that the writer of Hebrews was trying to arrest his readers’ drift (Heb. 2.1) fromChrist tosomething else – something that was less of a lightning rod for the hostility of their fellow Jews. Why would he begin his letter with a discussion of angels? If he were to write that letter to Christians today, in our Western world, where do you suppose he would begin? With angels? Or with something more mundane? Explain.

2.  How does the writer depict the greatness of Jesus in chapter 1? In how many different ways (vv. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13)? Is this the way you think about Jesus? Suppose a non-believing friend should ask you, “What’s so great about Jesus, anyway?” What would you say?

Meditate.
“Leaving aside all the rest of creation he speaks about that which is higher than the rest of creation, namely, the angels. For if the Son differed from the angels in that they were created but he was not, how much more does he differ from all invisible things? And one must demonstrate in addition that he revealed through the statement ‘but you are the same’ Christ’s eternal existence and the immutability of his nature. Through the phrase ‘Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve’ he shows that the Son is not a servant, but a fellow worker with God.” Severian of Gabala (fl. ca. 400 AD)

And He put all thingsunder His feet, and gave Him to behead over all thingsto the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1.22, 23

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are with me where I am, and I am with You where You are. Let me not drift from You, O Lord, You Who are superior to everything, but help me always to…

Psalm 45.1-17.
As you pray, let this psalm shape your vision of Christ exalted, of Him going forth conquering to conquer, and of you seeking His Kingdom and righteousness in all things.

Psalm 45.1-17 (Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
O my heart, let now a pleasing theme overflow to praise the Lord; 
My song I pledge to You, my King, and dedicate my words. 

You of all men are the fairest, Lord, and Your lips are flush with grace; 
Thus God has blessed You evermore before His holy face. 

Your sword gird on Your thigh, O Lord, in splendid majesty; 
Ride out, resplendent in Your Word, to glorious victory. 

For meekness and for righteousness Your Right Hand shall prevail. 
Your foes shall come to deep distress when You their souls assail. 

Your throne, O God, is evermore, and upright is Your reign; 
Though wicked men Your soul abhor, Your righteousness must gain.

Your God has thus anointed You with oil of gladness great. 
Your robes are rich with rich perfume; sweet music gilds Your way. 

In gold the queen at Your right hand, with princesses around, 
Resplendent with You takes her stand while glories great abound.

Let none keep us from hearing You; desire our beauty, Lord! 
We bow, submitting humbly to Your ever-faithful Word. 

The Church in robes of woven gold assembles to the King. 
With joy complete and gladness bold His praise she e’er shall sing.

When we at last Your palace gain, and others take our place, 
Then let our children with You reign, a legacy of grace!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press).