Introduction
Faith in Christ is always contested. Ideologies clash, worldviews collide, and truth claims compete for allegiance in the marketplace of ideas, tempting Christians to abandon Christ for His rivals. This is the primary pastoral concern that Hebrews was written to address. The original recipients were being tempted by suffering and social pressure to turn away from Christ and go back to Judaism. Hebrews, then, is to show the supremacy of Christ over every rival claim and to urge Christians to persevere in wholehearted allegiance to Jesus.
Text: Read Hebrews 1:1-14 and pray.
Chapter Summary: Hebrews 1 teaches that God has spoken in many ways throughout history but now speaks decisively through His Son. Jesus perfectly reveals God’s nature, holds all creation together, atones for sin, and now reigns at the right hand of God. Using Old Testament texts, the chapter shows that Jesus is the eternal Son and King, far greater than angels or any created thing.
Discussion Questions
1. Hebrews 1:1-3 describes the supremacy of Jesus in several ways: heir of all things, the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature, the one who upholds the universe by the word of his power, the one who made purification for sins, and the one who is now enthroned at God’s right hand. What do each of these things mean? And why are each of these statements about Jesus significant in a world of rival claims?
2. In verses 4-14, the author contrasts Jesus with angels. In Jewish tradition, angels were seen as glorious beings who delivered the law at Sinai (cf. Deut. 33:2; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19) and who mediated God’s plans for the world. Therefore, many Jews insisted that honor was to be given to angels. However, in these verses, the author insists that Jesus is infinitely more glorious and powerful than angels, and therefore, honor and worship should be given to Him alone. While you might not be tempted to honor or rely on angels, what are some of the “lesser things” you are enticed to look to instead of Christ for help, hope, comfort, and salvation?
3. How do the truths about Christ listed in verses 1-3 speak to the specific rivals that tempt you away from Christ? (E.g. I really struggle with fear about the uncertainty of the future, and I get paralyzed with anxiety. But I don’t have to be ruled by this fear because Jesus upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Close in Prayer
Spend time worshipping the Jesus of Hebrews 1, confessing your sins, receiving his grace, and bringing your requests before him. Take time also to identify a couple of items in our Fall Prayer Guide and seek God’s grace and help.