Hebrews 1:1-2

As I have done in the past, let me post a little background information on the book we are about to read together.  This information comes from the ESV Bible:

The letter to the Hebrews was written to encourage Christians in a time of trial. It does so by focusing on the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. While God spoke in the past “many times and in many ways,” he has now spoken to us “by his Son,” Jesus Christ, who is the “exact imprint” of God’s nature and who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (1:1–3). Jesus accomplished complete salvation for all who trust in him (1:1–10:18). We dare not “neglect such a great salvation” (2:3; 5:12–6:20; 10:19–39). Rather, in our faith and in our everyday living, we should imitate the example of Christ and of those on the honor roll of faith (chs. 11–13). This letter, whose author is unknown, was probably written between a.d. 60 and 70.  {Aside: it should be noted that there are some who make a strong case that Paul is the author of this book.  I am quite undecided on the issue of authorship.}

Summary retelling of Hebrews 1:1-2

The author begins by reminding us of the ancient days - days when God spoke to His people through many prophets in many various circumstances.  God was trying to get His people prepared for the coming of His salvation.  Now He has sent us His very own Son, who is the heir of all things.  It is through His Son that this entire world was brought into existence.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The prophets.  I can’t read this passage without hearing the 7-word anthem from the musical Godspell called Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord (see link: here).  But this is precisely the work of the prophets.  They weren’t about predicting the future; the prophets were there to tell the people around them about God, God’s ways, and the coming of God’s salvation.  What I love about this passage is the fact that the author is mindful of the many ways that God has tried to speak to the world.  There were scores of prophets.  There were kings.  There were ancient stories of faith.  In many ways God tried to tell the world about Him.

How many ways can you think of that God used to try and tell people about Him in the Old Testament?  What does it say about God that He tried so many ways?  How does this make you think about all the many ways that God tries to get your attention in just your life?

Second Thought:

The author reminds us that it was through Jesus that this whole world was created.  This passage sounds an awful lot like the opening verses of the Gospel of John.  But here’s some really neat symmetry.  It was through Christ that this world was created.  So why shouldn’t it be through Christ that this world was reconciled back to God?  This just goes to show us the importance of Christ.  We wouldn’t be here at all without Him.  We wouldn’t be able to be in a relationship with God at all without Him.  Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Do you ever undervalue Jesus?  What does it mean to you that this world was created through Him?  How often do you honestly thank God for Jesus, for His part in creation, and for His part in salvation?

Third Thought:

Jesus is the heir of salvation.  He was the perfect man.  He was the one who knew God.  He is the one who died for our sake.  He is the sinless and unblemished lamb that is led to the slaughter for our sake.  He is the true heir of salvation.  Nobody comes to the Father except through Him.

What does it mean to be an heir?  What do you think it was like for Jesus to live here in this world while being perfect?  What do you think it was like for Jesus to go to the cross for an imperfect world while knowing that He was perfect?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 1:3-4