The Superior Son!

Part 1 of 7

The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of my favorite books of the Bible! I love the intensity of it; I love its depth!

In the beginning, the writer devotes substantial time to refuting some common heresies of his day among the Jews. We will look at all three, but for now, let's examine the fist. I find it interesting that the very FIRST truth portrayed by the writer (some think it to be Paul or Barnabas), is the Sonship of Jesus Christ!

How wisely appropriate! The writer knew his audience. He knew their tendencies to refute Jesus' divinity, and therefore, he begins by comparing Him to past, "more exalted" men of God.

You see, most Hebrews (Jews) believed Jesus of Nazareth to be nothing more than a great prophet. They denied His glorious divinity, even though He continually spoke of it during His earthly ministry (Jn 5:23; 8:58; 10:30; 14:9; etc). They were, in fact, offended at His supposed "wild claims" (Jn 10:30-31).

The writer to the Hebrews knew that such a messianic understanding was absolutely VITAL before they could progress to the deeper truths contained in the letter. He therefore, devotes some time to explain his position. We too, cannot progress spiritually if this foundational stone is not secure in it's proper place.

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son..." (Heb 1:1-2a).

Notice the contrast presented between the prophets of old and the Son, who is the Word... God had spoken prophetically through His prophets in an Old Covenant dispensation, but was now declaring Himself in and through Jesus, the Son.

In these first few verses of Hebrews the writer sums up all the prophets of old, as wonderful as they were, and proves the superiority of the Son. The Son is greater than all the prophets combined. God speaking through and by the prophets is by the Word and Spirit coming to them, causing them to utter inspired Scripture and prophecy. The manifestation was outward, but the Spirit did not remain upon them; but Jesus' ministry was different: "And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost" (Jn 1:32-33). God speaking by His Son is by indwelling; it's God within - God incarnate. God was in Jesus, speaking to mankind (2 Cor 5:19; 1 Tim 3:16). He is God's final and full revelation to humanity! Thus we see the dire importance of receiving this foundational truth! God will never speak anything else aside from through His Son, Jesus. He must have the preeminence (Col 1:18).

"...Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high..." (Heb 1:2-3).

Notice what the writer says about Jesus! These characteristics could only apply to GOD! And notice the stark contrast to the prophets of old, whom the Jews held in such high regard. The writer actually uses truths present within the Jew's Old Testament Scriptures to prove to them Jesus' preeminence and superiority over mere men:

1. Jesus is the Heir of all things (Ps 2:6-9; Isa 9:6-7; 53:10-12)

2. It was by Him that God made the worlds (Prov 8:22-31; Isa 44:24; 45:12-18)

3. He is the brightness of His glory (Exod 3:2; Zech 12:10; Isa 40:3-5)

4. He is the express image of His person (Ezek 1:26-28; Isa 9:6-7; Jer 23:5-6)

5. He upholds all things by the Word of His power (Dan 10:18; Ps 75:3; Col 1:17)

6. He has power to purge (atone) sins (Jer 23:5-6; Heb 7:27; Isa 53:10-12; Dan 9:24)

7. He is seated at the very right hand of the Father (Ezek 1:26-28; Eph 1:20-22; Ps 9:4, 7; 2:6-7; 89:27; 110:1-2)

Talk about accreditation! How convincing this discourse must have been! It was ingenious! The very God of whom the prophets spoke and enquired of is He who divinely accredits the divinity and Sonship of Jesus! WOW! In fact, John wrote about one instance where this was physically displayed: "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matt 17:1-5). How wonderful that even in the midst of the Old Covenant economy, the Father broke through and accredited the ministry of Jesus! "Hear ye him"!

Furthermore, Peter said it was "the Spirit of Christ" who actually was the One speaking to such "exalted" prophets (1 Pet 1:11-12). The Jews, therefore, were in error for exalting the vessel MORE than He who created it. How could the prophets be loved MORE than the One whom gave them supernatural utterance? It's a complete contradiction of thought! Thank God for the writer's wise discourse.

This current unbelief was not the end, however. This was only the beginning of Jewish opposition to the divinity of Jesus. Thank God for His Word - it alone is able to break the rock of unbelief in pieces (Jer 23:29), even when present within religious unbelieving zealots!

To Be Continued...