Superior

Hebrews is one of my most favorite books of the Bible.  I don't know who wrote it, but it has great insight as to who Jesus is.  Hebrews declares His superiority.  It just cannot be denied.  The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted.  It was against the law to be a Christian, unlike being a Jew.  They thought about going back to being Jewish.  But, the author told them to hold fast and keep the faith.  This is a message that Christians must hear today.  There seems to be so many things that Christians are facing today that they have not in the not so far past.  Hold fast, my friends, and keep the faith.

God has always revealed Himself when humanity needed it.  It tells us this in the very first verse of Hebrews, "...in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets...".  See, He knows when we need to hear from Him.  He goes on to say that, "...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."  Last days is not referencing "end times", but rather the time between Jesus' first coming and Jesus' second coming.  John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the word who explains the Father.  Jesus is the last and final prophet, the One who declares the Word of God like none other.  The writer wants us to realize that God is a personal God.  Not only does He reveal Himself, He knows us better than we know ourselves and He always chooses the best way to communicate to us.  

The writer wants to point out to us Jesus' superiority.  In verse 4, the writer says, "having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."  In the prior verses there are seven significant proofs that declare Jesus to be superior to the angels:

1.  Heir to all things (v.2)
2.  Creator of all things (v.2)
3.  Reflector of God's glory (v.3 - radiance)
4.  Revealer of God's character (v.3)
5.  Sustainer of the universe (v.3)
6.  Redeemer (v.3)
7.  Ruler of the universe (v.4)

Psalm 2:7 is quoted here in Hebrews 1:5.  It says, "You are my son, today I have begotten you".  2 Samuel 7:14 is also quoted saying, "I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son."  Jesus alone is the heir to all things.  He is not only "the firstborn", but also "the only begotten".  This right here proves that the angels are inferior to the Son.  

Psalm 104:4 is quoted in verse 7, "He makes his angel winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."  The role of the angels is to worship Him and it is their mission to minister to those who will inherit salvation.  

Hebrews 1:8-9 says this, "...Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."  Jesus is Eternal!

Hebrews 1:13 says, "And to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'?"  Only the Son has been summoned to the right hand of the Father.  Being at the right hand indicates power, prominence, influence and prestige.  With this close proximity to the Father, the Son can intercede on behalf of the saints.  

As a result of Jesus' sacrificial death, we have a responsibility to share this good news with the entire world.  Even to a world that sometimes refuses to listen.