Hebrews 1:5-14
This section contains quotes from the OT that the authour uses to indicate that the Son is greater than the angels. These quotes support the authour's thesis in verses 1-4 and indicate that there was an unhealthy fascination with, perhaps even worship of, angels. The authour's goal is to remind his readers of the supremacy of Christ.
The authour uses quotes mostly from the Book of Psalms but includes some from the historical records of the kings of Israel and Judah and the book of Deuteronomy. The main theme of the quotes is that angels are servants and the Son is the King who is given all authourity. Some of the quotes about the Son echo the authour's assertion that Christ is seated in the place of authourity at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (v. 3, 8, 13).
The authour continues his thought about the supremacy of the name of Christ as compared to the name given the angels. The name given to Christ is found in verse 5: "Son". This is compared to the name given the angels in verse 7: "servant". The authour is showing that Christ has a special relationship to the Father and, therefore, is superior to the angels.
My question is about the use of the quotes. Historically, I am not sure that the passages quoted would have been attributed to the coming Messiah. They were mostly spoken of the present king or of God's sovreignty. I know that the authour was inspired by the Holy Spirit so that means that these verses are speaking of the Christ but it really does open up the book to reading back into the OT something that was never intended by the original human authours.
The point is that Christ is superior. I don't hear too much angel fascination or angel worship today, although it is still present in small pockets. I do wonder though if there is a growing fascination with demons. I think it is good to be aware of the spiritual forces of good and of evil in the world, but we, and be "we" I mean "I", must never lose sight of the supremacy of the Son: he is the King, he is far above the angels - whether fallen or not - in position and in power.
Showing posts with label Hebrews 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hebrews 1. Show all posts
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Radiance of God's Glory
Hebrews 1:1-4
I already focused on the first couple of verses but the authour continues his thought in these next verses. The theme starts in verse 2 where the authour claims that the universe was created through Christ and then goes on into verse 3 where he develops his claim that Jesus is inseparable from God: he is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God's being.
The authour clearly sees Christ as sitting on the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus at his trial before the high priest and a parallel vision to that of Stephen in Acts 7, just before his death. It refers to the authourity that Jesus has - equal to God's authourity.
The authour makes a comparison in verse 4 that I don't completely understand. Jesus is as superior to the angels as his name is superior to their name. The name that the authour is referring to is found in verse 5: Son. It points to a more intimate relationship than the angels have with the Father. It also indicates a greater inheritance than the angels have. The point is that Jesus is superior to the angels.
For me the reminder is that it is all about Jesus. He is superior. I lack the language to describe the emotional response that I have to this. I think part of it is fear that I have allowed other things to become superior to Christ in my life. I think part of it is awe at the majesty and authourity of Christ. I think part of it is humility at the work that he accomplished in my life and in the world - the purification of sins. As an aside, talk about an understated way to describe the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ: "after he had provided purification for sins..." It reminds me that if Christ is the radiance of God's glory then the way for me to bring glory to God is to keep Christ central and superior. It brings me to the place of worship. Which is exactly where I need to be.
I already focused on the first couple of verses but the authour continues his thought in these next verses. The theme starts in verse 2 where the authour claims that the universe was created through Christ and then goes on into verse 3 where he develops his claim that Jesus is inseparable from God: he is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God's being.
The authour clearly sees Christ as sitting on the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus at his trial before the high priest and a parallel vision to that of Stephen in Acts 7, just before his death. It refers to the authourity that Jesus has - equal to God's authourity.
The authour makes a comparison in verse 4 that I don't completely understand. Jesus is as superior to the angels as his name is superior to their name. The name that the authour is referring to is found in verse 5: Son. It points to a more intimate relationship than the angels have with the Father. It also indicates a greater inheritance than the angels have. The point is that Jesus is superior to the angels.
For me the reminder is that it is all about Jesus. He is superior. I lack the language to describe the emotional response that I have to this. I think part of it is fear that I have allowed other things to become superior to Christ in my life. I think part of it is awe at the majesty and authourity of Christ. I think part of it is humility at the work that he accomplished in my life and in the world - the purification of sins. As an aside, talk about an understated way to describe the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ: "after he had provided purification for sins..." It reminds me that if Christ is the radiance of God's glory then the way for me to bring glory to God is to keep Christ central and superior. It brings me to the place of worship. Which is exactly where I need to be.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Last Word
Hebrews 1:1-2
The key words in this section are: spoke (or spoken), and the contrast between the many times and ways and the last times and single way. The author is not identified and the audience is not addressed by name, although the traditional title of the book is "to the Hebrews" indicating that the assumption from early Christianity was that it was written to Jewish Christians. It is likely, since the author does not refer to the destruction of the temple in this book, that it was written before 70AD. The theme is being hinted at immediately: the superiority of Christ, especially his superiority compared to the Jewish religious system and tradition.
In these two verses, the author declares that Jesus is the fulfillment of and superior to the message of the prophets. This is a continuation and development of the themes that Stephen speaks of in Acts 7. For Stephen, it was all about Christ: he was the fulfillment of the law, he was the culmination of the scope of God's mercy and the scope of God's work. For the author, it is all about Christ. He is the full revelation of God.
I am excited to read the book of Hebrews to remind myself of the centrality of Christ and the cross. Sometimes I get lost in the details and logistics of programs and ministries. I need to remember that the point and the center is Christ and the cross. Sometimes I get lost in relationships and meeting people's needs. I need to remember that Christ is the center, foundation and culmination of all relationships. If people have only connected to me and I have not led them to Christ in some way, then that relationship has not fulfilled its purpose. I need to remember that more then answers and resources that people need Jesus. Jesus is God with us. Jesus enters our world, our pain, our joys, our failures and our triumphs. It's all about Jesus.
The key words in this section are: spoke (or spoken), and the contrast between the many times and ways and the last times and single way. The author is not identified and the audience is not addressed by name, although the traditional title of the book is "to the Hebrews" indicating that the assumption from early Christianity was that it was written to Jewish Christians. It is likely, since the author does not refer to the destruction of the temple in this book, that it was written before 70AD. The theme is being hinted at immediately: the superiority of Christ, especially his superiority compared to the Jewish religious system and tradition.
In these two verses, the author declares that Jesus is the fulfillment of and superior to the message of the prophets. This is a continuation and development of the themes that Stephen speaks of in Acts 7. For Stephen, it was all about Christ: he was the fulfillment of the law, he was the culmination of the scope of God's mercy and the scope of God's work. For the author, it is all about Christ. He is the full revelation of God.
I am excited to read the book of Hebrews to remind myself of the centrality of Christ and the cross. Sometimes I get lost in the details and logistics of programs and ministries. I need to remember that the point and the center is Christ and the cross. Sometimes I get lost in relationships and meeting people's needs. I need to remember that Christ is the center, foundation and culmination of all relationships. If people have only connected to me and I have not led them to Christ in some way, then that relationship has not fulfilled its purpose. I need to remember that more then answers and resources that people need Jesus. Jesus is God with us. Jesus enters our world, our pain, our joys, our failures and our triumphs. It's all about Jesus.
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