“Who Jesus is” represents a major theme in the letter to the Hebrews. It’s what we will also discover in this three-part study series.
But, before delving into that, let’s discuss two things first: the purpose of the book and who the original audience was.
The purpose of the book could be summarized into presenting who Jesus is as:
- The Mediator between God and the entire humankind.
- The exalted Son of God.
- Greater than Moses.
- Our pioneer or forerunner.
The letter was originally written for the Jews who were in fear of persecution and tempted to return to Judaism. Remember that in Judaism, Jesus is only one of God’s messengers. He is not the Messiah, the Christ.
Who Jesus Christ is
Read Hebrews 1: 1-4 for this section.
The author of this epistle wants his audience to keep in mind that Jesus Christ isn’t just like the other messengers God has sent to us.
So, in verses 1 through, he states two truths:
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 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. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. NIV.
God has chosen to speak to us through Jesus Christ
He doesn’t dismiss the fact that God spoke to us through other people. However, he’s clearing stating that in the past, we heard God through the prophets.
But, today, in this age, Jesus Christ is the only Way we hear God’s voice.
We see God through Jesus Christ
Not only do we get to hear God’s voice through Jesus Christ, but we see God through Him too.
This letter talks about several things that make Jesus Christ the only Way for us to see God:
- Jesus radiates God’s glory. In other words, through Jesus, we see Who God is.
- Jesus has the power over the entire universe.
- Jesus sits on the right hand of God, the Father.
- Everything came into existence through Jesus Christ.
- Everything exists through and for Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the Founder of our Salvation
Read Hebrews 2: 5 – 12,
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters. NIV.
What is Salvation?
Salvation, according to the letter to the Hebrews is about two things:
- It’s to bring everything back under God’s control. See verse 8.
- It’s to put everything in subjection to Jesus Christ. See verse 8.
This letter also talks about how this salvation came to be. It was made possible through Jesus Christ. In other words, one is saved only through faith in Jesus Christ. See verse 9.
- God made Jesus Christ lower than angels in order to be our pioneer.
- God made Jesus Christ suffer and taste death on our behalf.
The benefits of salvation
According to the letter to the Hebrews, there are three key benefits one gets that come with salvation:
- Jesus Christ sanctifies all. See verse 11.
- Jesus Christ brings many to God’s glory. See verse 10.
- Jesus Christ calls us brothers and sisters. See verse 12.
In conclusion
The letter to the Hebrews, with focus on chapters one and two, is a reminder that Jesus Christ is the only Way to God, our Father. Jesus is the only means to our personal salvation. As a result of being saved through Christ, not only do we become children of God, we also become brothers and sisters of Christ.
