This is the first sermon in our summer study of Hebrews.
Hebrews is a book about Jesus. It holds him up so that we can behold.
This may seem unhelpful for daily life. You may feel like what your really need is ‘7 tips for being a better dad’ or ‘5 ways to improve your financial situation.’ But we must remember that Jesus is the source. He is the source for truth, life, peace, joy, direction, understanding who you are, what you’re created for, what you’re meant to be and do. He is the vine and we are the branches. It is easy to disconnect from him and begin to whither. Tips and tricks for life without Jesus will get us no where. We are going to graft deeply into Jesus this summer.
Let’s begin with three truths from Hebrews 1:
Jesus is God speaking to us.
1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Throughout history God had given his people revelation “at many times and in many ways,” like puzzle pieces. The picture became clearer over time as God revealed various things to them; but there was always a missing piece in the center.
Jesus is the formerly missing piece. In Jesus we have the final and complete communication from God to mankind.
Do you want to hear from God? Behold Jesus.
Jesus is God showing himself to us.
3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:3a)
He is all that shines about God. As rays are to the sun, so Jesus is to God’s glory. He is the exact representation of God’s nature. He is God’s selfie. He is the epitome of all that God wants us to know about himself.
Do you want to see God’s glory and nature? Behold Jesus.
Jesus is above all.
After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 3b-4)
You may have noticed that I skipped a couple of strange phrases in this text. That’s because one sermon is not enough to expound on all of these glories. But let’s consider them briefly:
The heir of all things, through whom also he created the world…and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Jesus will inherit all things. It was through Jesus that God created the world. And right now, as you read this, Jesus is upholding the universe. What can we say to these glories? For now we must throw up our hands and say with Paul in Romans 11:33-36:
33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
After making purification for sins. Jesus died as the sacrifice for our sins, making available purification and salvation. This is usually where we stop in thinking about Jesus. This is usually the climax of our Christology. But we’re about to see that there is so much more to our Lord and Savior.
He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. When you picture Jesus, what do you see? A baby in a manger? A leader around a table of 12 disciples? A battered man hanging on a cross? He is none of those things any longer. When you picture him, picture him seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Having become as much superior to angels. The writer of Hebrews spends the rest of the chapter outlining how Jesus is better than angels. Often, when angels appeared in scripture, people fell down in fear or worship before them. They are glorious beings. But Jesus’ glory far exceeds theirs.
Conclusion
A.W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Hebrews teaches more specifically that what we believe about and how we relate to Jesus is the most important thing about us. Not our kids, our bodies, our homes, our decisions, out pasts, our careers or even our lives. It’s our knowledge of and relationship with Jesus Christ.
This summer we will behold, examine and discuss him. But more importantly I pray that we will come to know him and trust him and love him and follow him more deeply than ever before.
Discussion Starters
- Comb this chapter together and write down a list of all the truths about Jesus you can find (even the ones you may not understand).
- Which truth in the list stands out the most to you? Why?
- Which truth in the list do you have the hardest time wrapping your mind around? Why? Which other scriptures might shed light on this truth?
- Which truth means the most to you in your life right now? Why?
- Read John 1:1-5. How does this supplement our understanding of Hebrews 1?
- Read Colossians 1:15-20. How does this supplement our understanding of Hebrews 1?
- Why does any of this matter to us in the hear-and-now grind of daily life?
- Take some time to pray with and for one another.
