Monday, March 17, 2025

            Hebrews is found near the end of the New Testament.  We are not really certain who wrote this book.  It bears no claim or message of ownership.  Some speculate it could be Paul, Barnabas, Apollos or even Luke.  All of these men are possible and credible candidates.  The purpose of this book is to show the superiority of Christ and His work to any and all things that Israel had known before in the old covenant.  Indeed, the details of the old covenant were merely a prelude to the greater and better realities found in Christ.  God’s work in Israel was a prelude or preparatory act for what He would accomplish in Christ alone.  The original audience or initial recipients of this letter were Hebrew Christians who had come to Christ out of a Jewish background—replete with the Law, sacrifices, ceremonies and rituals.  And by Jesus’ day, these things had grown stale and lacking.
            Hebrews 1 opens with a clear delineation between the old things of Israel that had grown stale and stuffy and the new hope, light and life offered in Christ.  1:1 says “in the past.”  This three word opening immediately tells us that God has pivoted to something new.  He has advanced His salvation plan forward in a new way.  God previously spoke through the prophets but then God spoke “by His Son” (1:2).  The Word of God took on human form as John the disciple noted in the first chapter of His gospel.  The better and greater way that God spoke is captured by Hebrews 1:3, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
            The old covenant was temporal and transitory.  It was only a placeholder for God’s greatest and decisive work in Christ.  Hebrews 1:8 says, “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.’”  And Christ is eternal.  His throne is invincible and irreplaceable.  He does reign.  He will reign.  What does it mean to see that Christ reigns or will reign?  Several important realities emerge for us to see.  First, Christ is in control.  He is the One who possesses all power in heaven and on earth.  Second, because of His throne, we can trust His words and promises.  Anything and everything that Christ has declared can be taken to heart and believed.  We can build our lives around Him.  He is the worthy and true foundation.  As Paul wrote, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
            Third, to say that Christ will reign secures the future.  We are not left adrift by nameless and unseen forces in the universe.  We are not at the mercy of humans or institutions to determine what the future holds.  We are safe in His arms.  We are secure in His providence.  He is sovereign.  We can trust that he will take us to a good place and to the destiny that He has written, planned and prepared.  Fourth, we recognize that Christ is without rival or equal.  Yes, Satan is the adversary and enemy but he is not the equal of Christ or the Lord’s counterpart.  In fact, Satan is a defeated enemy.  He has been beaten and broken by the all-sufficient death of Christ at the cross and His triumphant resurrection at the empty tomb.  Fifth, Christ is not merely one choice among many.  He is Lord.  Always and forever.  To dismiss Christ as Lord is to lose everything.  To embrace Him as Lord is to gain all that He has in store for us both now and forever. 
            Take time to read through Hebrews 1.  See how the writer carefully and thoughtfully presents Christ as the all-glorious and wonderful Savior, Lord and King.  In Hebrews 1:12, we find this blessing, “But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”  Have a great Monday!  Remember you can share our worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.