December 17th~All We Have

2 Timothy 4:19-22

Hebrews 1:1-4:13

We opened the book of Hebrews, whose penman is not revealed in the text, so this writer has always been one of the mysteries of the New Testament. However, despite not knowing who was responsible, humanly speaking, for these incredible words, we trust that God is sovereign and wanted us to have this book; and, though we may not know who wrote it officially, we still know that God inspired the message, which has proven to be accurate in light of the rest of the Bible.

The overarching theme of Hebrews is the superiority of Christ over the Old Covenant; the writer, who was quite knowledgeable of Jewish history, Mosaic Law, and the sacrificial system, set out to prove that Jesus was and is the Messiah that the Jews longed for. Thus, in the few chapters that we read, he contrasted Christ with angels (1:4-14), with Moses (3:1-19), and with Joshua (4:8, 9). These two men were “illustrations of the truths God would reveal later” (3:5). Though God had spoken to His people in many ways, “in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son” (1:1, 2). Jesus is the final revelation from God.

How exactly is Christ superior to angels, Moses, and Joshua? The writer pointed out seven ways. First, God made Jesus heir of all things (1:2). Second, “through His Son, He made the universe” (v.2). Third, “the Son reflects God’s own glory” (v.3). Fourth, “everything about Him reflects God exactly” (v.3). Fifth, “He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command” (v.3). Sixth, “He died to cleanse us from the stain of sin” (v.3). Seventh, “He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven” (v.3). Who has done any of these things except Christ? Have the angels? Has Moses or Joshua? No, only the Messiah, Jesus Christ!

Daily Reflection

The writer of Hebrews was removing obstacles and arguments that the Jews might have against the life and ministry of Christ. He was showing them that He is the Holy One of God, sent to redeem them from sin. Who else did they have but Him? “What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus Himself?” (2:3).

Though God has done all these things through Christ (and there is more), what obstacles and arguments do people raise to deny Jesus today?

No angel and no other human, not even Moses or Joshua, “tasted death for everyone in the world” (2:9). Jesus took on flesh and became a human being so that He could die for us; and, “by dying, He broke the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He deliver those who have lived as slaves to the fear of dying” (2:14, 15).

The God who made everything and everyone will also be the Judge, to whom “you must explain all that you have done. Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes” (4:13). How will you be able to stand before your Judge in your sin and shame without the blood of Jesus to cleanse you? What will you have to offer the God of heaven that He will accept you? Nothing. You have nothing, only the gift of Christ, who suffered on your behalf. All you have is the grace of God which has been given in the Messiah of God — Jesus Christ.

BiAY.org | Day 351 — 14 Days to Go