Hebrews 1: Jesus is Greater Than...

 
Introduction
Hebrews is a mysterious book in the New Testament. Its mystery stems from its unknowns. The author’s identity is unknown. The location of the church or community to which this epistle is addressed is unknown. The date it was written is also unknown. The reasons behind why the letter was written remain uncertain. The nature of the crisis that prompted the letter is also unclear. 
 
It is believed the letter is addressed to men and women who realize they can be threatened by adversity, and that there is a cost to discipleship. Some have called it a pastoral response to people who are tired, overwhelmed, and seriously considering abandoning their Christian commitment. The writer aims to encourage the recipients of this letter to stand firm in their faith in Christ.
 
As stated earlier, the author of Hebrews is anonymous. It is believed that the author is within the Pauline circle. The author mentions in Hebrews 13:23 that he expects to travel with Timothy, “our brother.” It is widely believed and accepted that the author is not Paul, but someone who considers himself among those to whom “the immediate hearers of the Lord had delivered the gospel.” It is probable that the author was a Hellenist Jewish Christian, a Greek-speaking Jew who was influenced by Greek culture. It was also written by an inspired theologian who was well-trained and understood the exposition of the Greek Scriptures.
 
Hebrews was most likely written for a house church in an unspecified city. Christians typically gathered in simple rooms within private homes. It was undoubtedly a small group, including household members and some of their close friends and associates. According to the World Biblical Commentary on Hebrews, “The cumulative weight of the evidence points to men and women who participate in a small house fellowship, loosely related to other house churches in an urban setting, whose theological vocabulary and conceptions were informed by the rich legacy of Hellenistic Judaism.”
 
Hebrews Outline
Introduction (Chapter 1:1–4)
First Theme: Jesus is Superior to the Angels (Chapters 1:5–2:18)
Second Theme: Jesus is a Compassionate and Faithful High Priest (Chapters 3:1–5:10)

1. Jesus is a faithful high priest (Chapters 3:1–4:16)
2. Jesus is a compassionate high priest (Chapter 5:1–10)

Third Theme: Exhortation, Jesus is the Source of Eternal Salvation, a Perfected Priest. (Chapters 6:1 – 10:39)

1. Exhortation (Chapter 6:1 – 20)
2. Jesus, high priest like Melchizedek (Chapter 7:1–28)
3. Jesus is the perfected priest (Chapters 8:1–9:28)
4. Jesus is the source of eternal salvation (Chapter 10:1–39)

Fourth Theme: Perseverance in the Faith (Chapters 11:1–12:13)
1: Faith (Chapters 11:1–12:2) O.T. examples of faith
2: Perseverance (Chapter 12:3–13) Persevere in faith
Fifth Theme: The Need to be Holy (Chapters 12:14–13:21)
Conclusion: Final Recommendations (Chapter 13:22–25)
Unfortunately, we will not be exhaustive in our look at Hebrews, but I will do my best to give a
 
Hebrews 1:1 - 4
Vs 1: The author gives some examples of ways God spoke to Biblical prophets and to Israel's ancestors.

1. He spoke personally to Adam and Eve in the Garden
   
2. Moses through a burning bush
   
3. To the High Priest In the Tabernacle – Tent of Meeting
   
4. Verbally, Samuel
   
5. Through Prayer

 
Vs 2: God has spoken to us through Jesus Christ. To know Jesus is to know God.
He is the “Heir of all things.” This title of dignity shows that Jesus has the rightful and supreme place in all the universe. His exaltation to the highest place in heaven after completing his work here on earth did not mark a new position but his return to his rightful place in heaven.
 
Vs 3:  Jesus radiates God’s glory… What does this mean?
According to theologian N.T. Wright, “The word used for ‘radiates’ is the Greek word character, the origin of our apparently identical English word… The word character in ancient Greek was widely used to mean just that: the accurate impression left by the stamp on the coin. And this is what the writer is saying about Jesus. It is as though He is the exact imprint of the Father’s very nature and glory has been precisely reproduced in the soft metal of the Son’s human nature. Now it is there for all the world to see.”
 
Jesus is also the sustainer of all things.  What does it mean to sustain?  How does Jesus sustain?

Jesus actively holds everything together through the power of his word. Just as the universe was created by spoken words, all of creation is maintained by God's spoken word.
 
Once Jesus gave His life on the cross of Calvary, He was resurrected and ascended back to the Father. After He ascended to the Father, He sat at the right hand of God. The right hand is a position of honor and authority.
 
Vs 4:  Jesus is greater than the angels because God has declared him greater. In the next section, we see specifically why He is greater than the angels.
 
Hebrews 1:5 - 9
Jesus Name is Superior
Vs 5:  Jesus is superior to the angels because of his inherited excellent name.  The author establishes this truth by citing two OT passages. 

• Psalm 2:7 “The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: ‘The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.’”
  
  This Psalm was an established Messianic Psalm. It was understood and believed to be fulfilled in the future by a descendant of David. Jesus is and has always been the eternal Son. It is believed this passage refers to Christ’s exaltation and enthronement as Son after the resurrection.
  
  
• 2 Samuel 7:14 “I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do.
  
  This is another Messianic prophecy given to David in the Davidic covenant. The prophet tells David his son would build the temple (after his death) and establish a royal throne that will endure forever. Solomon built the temple, but he and all subsequent kings failed to fulfill the eternal throne that lasts forever. Therefore, the prophets looked forward to someone greater than the kings who would fulfill this prophecy. It was only fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
  
  

Jesus is superior because he is and has been the Son of God, proven by OT prophecies.
 
Superior Honor
Vs 6: Jesus is the firstborn. In Jewish culture, the firstborn is considered prestigious and honorable. The firstborn receives twice the inheritance of their siblings.  
Jesus was neither created nor born, but the title 'firstborn' is a title of honor indicating priority in rank.
 
Deuteronomy 32:43:  “Rejoice with him, you heavens, and let all of God’s angels worship him. Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles, and let all the angels be strengthened in him. For he will avenge the blood of his children; he will take revenge against his enemies. He will repay those who hate him and cleanse his people’s land.”

This verse is not in the Hebrew OT, but in the Greek OT.  This seems to be a reference to the Nativity.  When Jesus was born, the angels came and worshiped Him.  Angels do not worship angels; they only worship the one who is greater than they.
 
Jesus was worshiped in the past and will be worshiped in the future…

Rev. 5:11 – 13: "Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
 
Superior Status
Vs 7:  Quote of Psalm 104:4
Angels are servants, and Jesus is sovereign.  
Wind and fire – The meaning of this is not all clear, but the writer of Hebrews emphasizes that angels sometimes inhabit the wind and fire to do God’s bidding.
 
Vs 8–9: Quote Psalm 45:6–7
Points to Jesus’ sovereignty
·       Throne – He will reign forever.
·       Scepter – His authority is supreme
·       Anointing – A heavenly joy in recognizing he is the sovereign king.
 
Hebrews 1:10 - 14
Supreme Existence
 
Vs 10 -12: Quote of Psalm 102:25 – 27
Jesus is eternal… The heavens will perish, but Jesus remains forever. The heavens will be rolled up like a cloak, and it will change, but Jesus remains unchanging for all eternity.
 
Vs 13 – 14: No angel has ever had the privilege of sitting at the right hand of God.
Angels’ positions are not for ruling or supremacy.  Their role is to serve and minister to those who are saved and will inherit eternal salvation.
Jesus’ role is to rule supremely.
 
Conclusion
Why Jesus is Superior

1. He created the world
2. He is the radiance of God’s glory
3. He is the exact imprint of God the Father – character
4. He sustains the universe by His Word
5. He sits at the right hand of the Father
6. He has an excellent name
7. He has a superior honor – Title of honor and rank
8. He has a superior status – sovereignty
9. His eternal existence

 

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