Hebrews 1
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Hebrews 1:1-2, In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Today, we begin our journey into the book of Hebrews. This is exciting! Hebrews is a book full of Old Testament themes and imagery; it’s tough at times to understand but also full of substance and meaning, constantly pointing to the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. It should be mentioned that we don’t know who authored the book. For years, it was assumed that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews but few New Testament scholars believe that to be the case today. There are several contenders for authorship, however, including Apollos, Barnabas, Timothy, Luke, or Priscilla. What we do know is that the author became a believer out of Judaism and is very familiar with the intricacies of Old Testament law.
The book of Hebrews was written to an audience who had already started drifting from the Christian faith. Just thirty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, these individuals were exhibiting symptoms of apathy and complacency. They were struggling. The author seeks to teach and infuse passion in these early believers, reminding them of the supremacy of Jesus in all things. When times are tough, it’s easy to romanticize the good old days, to fall back into old patterns which feel comfortable and easy, and that’s exactly what the Hebrews’ audience was doing. The author reminds them that the good old days really weren’t that good and the new life offered through Jesus is better in every way.
Chapter one sets the stage. The author states that God spoke to his people in many and various ways. But through Jesus Christ, God spoke perfectly and completely. The other prophets communicated about God’s nature and displayed God’s power. But Jesus embodied God’s nature and power, he was the fulfillment of all previous prophecies. He was God himself, supreme over all things. Thus, we must listen to his voice.
Two thousand years later, we still struggle listening to the voice of Jesus. There are so many other voices that vie for our attention. What other voices compete for your time and attention? How can you ensure that Jesus Christ is the primary voice in your own life? What does it mean to live in a way that demonstrates that Jesus is supreme above all things?
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are the one who was, and is, and is to come, the Word before Creation. Help us stay focused on your voice. There are so many distractions in our world and we too often are vulnerable to them; they are loud and demanding. Help us take time to listen to your voice and your voice alone right now, today. In Your Name, Amen.