Can you explain what Hebrews is trying to teach me?
If I could summarize the book of Hebrews in one word, it would be “BETTER.” The Lord Jesus Christ is shown as being BETTER than all things. He is greatly exalted in this book.
In Hebrews 1:4-5, Christ is said to be “so much BETTER THAN THE ANGELS, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” Christ is the Son of God. He is creator, not a creature. In virtue of that, He is better than all of creation, and here is said to be better than the angels.
In Hebrews 1:8, God calls His Son God, thereby showing that He is better than all created things. That says, “But unto the Son he saith, THY THRONE O GOD, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” While many say that Jesus is not God, when God the Father calls His Son God, we need to accept the testimony of the Father towards His Son. Jesus is God!
Christ is better than Moses. Hebrews 3:3-6 says, “For this man was counted WORTHY OF MORE GLORY THAN MOSES, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Moses, as the giver of the Law was highly esteemed among the Jewish people and rightfully so. However, Moses was a servant of the Lord. Christ IS the Lord.
Christ is better than the priesthood. Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “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. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Far beyond the ability of earthly priests, the Lord Jesus is our “great high priest.” We cannot suffer without the Lord being able to empathize with us in our infirmities. Because of His High Priestly work, we are invited to “come boldly unto the throne of grace…” All the Old Testament priests were limited in their priesthoods because they were mortal men who died. It is said of Christ in Hebrews 5:6, “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” His priesthood is eternal.
Christ is a better hope. Hebrews 7:19, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”
The examples are many and there is much more to be found in this wonderful book. The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians. It showed them how that Christ was better than all the Law had to offer. Christ was better than all their Jewish leaders. He was better than the angels. Yet, we read in Hebrews 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” This One who was so much better than the angels humbled Himself and was made “a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.” How did He become lower than an angel? It was by becoming a man!
Let’s read Philippians 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” The Lord Jesus, being far better than the angels repeatedly humbled Himself and became “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” His death on the cross was to provide a way to Heaven. Do you know this obedient One? Have you put your faith in this One who is better than all things and all people? (325.4)