Friday May 5th 2017
LETTER TO THE HEBREWS: INTRODUCTION
The converted Jews who became Christians were soon persecuted by their incredulous compatriots (10:32-34). Although they were strong in faith, because of their laziness, the Hebrews became discouraged and we observe a spiritual regression (5:12-14). That's why the author repetitively reminds them of the faith and consecration to God what they had shown at the beginning. Moreover we find very serious reflexions about the destiny of Jews who had believed in Gospel and then had abandoned this way of faith (6:4-8; 10:26-31). Nevertheless, the most important subject of the Hebrews is Christ. Throughout the letter, the reader follows a common thread which constantly traces the superiority of the God' full manifestation in Christ. God's Son, the sovereign high priest and the mediator of the new alliance on all the revelations, the prescriptions and people of Old Testament. Christ is greater than the prophets and the angels, more high than Moses, Joshua and Aaron. The israelite worship with all its sacrifices represented only a shadow of the reality: the offering of Jesus Christ was given once and for all. The numerous citations of Old Testament are often introduced only to bring the contrast between the old alliance and new alliance out and show their achievement in Christ.
Hebrews 1:1-4
key verse: 3
JESUS, GOD'S ULTIMATE MESSENGER
It's an introduction part again of the epistle of the Hebrews. First, the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
1. The supremacy of Jesus Christ (1-2)
God speaks to the world through his prophets and God revealed his will through them. But now the time is coming when God reveals his will through his Son Jesus Christ. His will is to save the fallen mankind. God used his Son as an atonement tool for mankind. Jesus wore the flesh of the human and shared his suffering. But we musn't forget that he is the Creator of the heaven and the earth and God established him as the heir of God's kingdom. All these things come through Jesus and all come back to God through Jesus.
2. Jesus seated in the sky (3-4)
This Son is the alter ego of God. God's glory shines through him and he is the substance of God Himself. He supports all the things in this world. So he is the sovereign of the world. The world was made by his mighty word. This one who created the world also purifies the sin of mankind. He created the world through one of his words but he purified and saved mankind sacrificing his life. It's a very great paradox, but Jesus endured this suffering to save mankind. Even if this obedience is bloody it's agreable for God. It's like the holocaust consumed by the fire and accepted by God in Leviticus. But his obedience up to death wasn't in vain, God accepted his sacrifice and made him resurrected from the dead and now he is seated on the right of God. He is a spiritual being as the angels. But the angels are not comparable with Jesus. His name is Lord, who created the world and who reigns in the physical and spiritual world.
Prayer: Lord, make me worship only Jesus, because he is the Creator, a supreme being. But he purified my sin and he is mounted and he sits on the throne.
Bottom line: Jesus, radiation of God's glory
No comments:
Post a Comment