What God Intended

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but 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. 3 He 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. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 2:5–12 ESV

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

All religions around the world are connected to Jesus in some way. Christians don't see other religious founders as great teachers, but others at least see Jesus as a great teacher. This is because Jesus is fundamentally different from Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, and other religious leaders, including Moses. Each religion knows this, but they don't understand Jesus correctly. They change him to fit their religious beliefs. For example, Islam sees Jesus as a great teacher but doesn't believe he is God incarnate or that he was resurrected. Islam is essentially a rejection of Christ. Due to this, Islam doesn't worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they claim.

Last week, we finished our series on James by discussing the importance of holding the right beliefs to take the right actions. These two go hand in hand. Our actions will not align with the gospel if our beliefs are incorrect.

In the next few weeks, we will spend some time in Hebrews to establish our orthodox beliefs about who Christ is and the work he has done on our behalf. We will assess what God intends for us to believe and practice as Christians. This belief and practice are rooted in who Jesus Christ truly is.

1. Jesus is God’s final word. (1:1-4)

Throughout history, God has communicated with his people in various ways. In scripture, we find instances of God appearing to individuals through visions, dreams, visitations, and events. Israel received these different forms of communication through prophets and even a donkey at one point.

The author of Hebrews emphasizes in the opening of his letter that God's ultimate message has been conveyed through Jesus. The revelation of Jesus Christ surpasses that of the ancient prophets because he is God incarnate. The writer describes Jesus as "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature." He is the creator of all things and has supreme authority over all creation, having taken his seat at the right hand of the Father. John also articulates this in John 1:1–3, stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." This divine nature of Jesus should fill us with awe and reverence.

Recognizing the superiority of Christ is not just a theological concept, but a matter of utmost importance for Christians. Straying from the teachings found in scripture leads to apostasy. In essence, getting Christianity right hinges on having a correct understanding of Christology. Hebrews aids us in this regard by affirming that early Christians, just a few decades after Jesus' death and resurrection, recognized Jesus as God. He is not merely a wise human teacher but God in human form. This recognition should instill a sense of urgency and importance in us.

Some liberal theologians have sought to link the development of a robust Christology over centuries to the mystery religions in the Roman Empire. They attempt to demonstrate that Christians adopted beliefs about Osiris and other Egyptian gods and integrated them into the faith, portraying the real Jesus as an ordinary teacher from Galilee who angered the wrong individuals.

However, the book of Hebrews, written around 62 AD, presents a different perspective. The author unequivocally states that Jesus was prophesied throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled all the prophecies associated with him. This reiteration of the finality of Jesus as God's message should invoke a sense of closure and completion in us. No one else will ever speak on behalf of God. Any individual claiming to be a prophet is not a true prophet because God ceased revealing new information after Jesus. He is the ultimate revelation. Theology cannot be altered at will because the 'Spirit' supposedly imparted new knowledge. God does not disclose further revelations to humanity.‌ Jesus is it.

2. All powers are subject to Christ. (2:5-9)

Psalm 110:1 ESV

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

1 Peter 3:22 ESV

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

3. We will rule with Christ. (2:10-12)

Genesis 1:28 ESV

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Revelation 20:4 ESV

4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.