Highlights In Today's Reading:
God says Jesus is #1 — His Deity confirmed! Christ is superior over: (1) prophets (1:1-3); (2) Angels (1:4 —2:18); (3) Moses (3:1-4:2); (4) Joshua (4:3-13); (5) priesthood (4:14-16). Believers are warned not to neglect God's Word (2:1-4) and against unbelief (3:7-4:13).
The superiority of Christ is the theme of the Book of Hebrews. He is far superior to the prophets, the priests, Moses, and the Law, as well as angels. For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son? (1:5). The importance of angels, God's messengers, does not compare to the superiority of Jesus Christ who was born in a Bethlehem manger.
The Lord Jesus Christ is also superior to the high priest. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession (4:14).
Christ cleansed us from our sins by His blood and now sits at the right hand of God as our High Priest: Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them (7:25). The Covenant of God with the Israelites centered upon the Ten Commandments that first were on tables of stone, written with the finger of God (Ex. 31:18); but Christ's Covenant with His born-again believers is written upon our hearts (Heb. 8:10).
The Old Covenant was temporary, but Christ's Covenant is eternal (13:20). For believers to worship God under the Old Covenant, it was necessary for the blood of many animals to be offered daily. But the New Covenant required only one sacrifice — Christ's own blood once for all (10:1-29).
The word better is one of the key words in the Book of Hebrews — we have: a better Covenant (8:6), better promises (8:6), a better hope (7:19), and a better . . . substance (10:34).
This Book reveals that the source of power to live the victorious Christian life is Jesus Christ. He is the Living Word of God who is all-wise and all-knowing. The Holy Spirit uses the Bible as our all-sufficient source of strength to meet our every need, enabling us to live in fellowship with Him.
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. . . . For the Word of God is quick (full of life), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. . . . Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:1,12,16).
Thought for Today:
Living as New Covenant people does not give us license to do as we please but rather holds us to the privilege of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).
Cross References:
For Heb. 1:3: See Ps. 110:1; Heb. 1:5: See Ps. 2:7; II Sam. 7:14. Heb. 1:6: See Ps. 97:7. Heb. 1:7: See Ps. 104:4. Heb. 1:8-9: See Ps. 45:6-7. Heb. 1:10-12: See Ps. 102:25-27. Heb. 1:13: See Ps. 110:1. Heb. 2:6-8: See Ps. 8:4-6. Heb. 2:12: See Ps. 22:22. Heb. 2:13: See Is. 8:18. Heb. 3:7-11: See Ps. 95:7-11. Heb. 4:3: See Ps. 95:11. Heb. 4:4: See Gen. 2:2.
Word Studies:
Heb. 2:17 behoved =b> was necessary for, was imperative for; 4:8 Jesus =b> Joshua; 4:12 quick =b> living.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Iva Ann McElroy • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Officials: Rep. Steve Kagen (WI) and Rep. Joe Sestak (PA) • Country: Senegal (10 million) in western Africa • Major language: French • Religious freedom • 92% Muslim; 4% animism and ancestor worship; 3% Roman Catholic; .1% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to God with your whole heart (Ps. 119:58,145).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 2:21
