Hebrews 1:1-14
The Title, Audience, and Theme: The ancient manuscripts reads, “to the Hebrews,” believing that the original audience for whom it was written was a Jewish community who had become Christians. The audience certainly had a great grasp of the Old Testament and some scholars believe Hebrews was written to converts from the Jewish priesthood. Here’s what we do know for sure: 1. It was written to a Christian church with a Jewish background. 2. It teaches us how to read the Old Testament in light of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and 3. It was written to a church undergoing great persecution according to Chapter 10. 4. It was written to convey that Christ is greater than angels, priest, and the Old Covenant Institution. 5. It was to convey the miracle of His salvation, and through faith we can persevere.
Date: It was probably written before A.D. 70. It mentioned Timothy in (13:23) who was active in the first century. Also the continuous use of the Jewish sacrificial system of animal sacrifices was still happening. Animal sacrifices stopped upon the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in A.D. 70.
- Authorship: Hebrews doesn’t give us a hint as to the authorship. Some have suggested Paul, but Paul makes it clear that he is the author in his other letters. This letter uses similar language to Paul, so many believe it was an understudy of Paul such as Barnabas, Luke, or even Apollos.
Sections: Hebrews is sectioned into four parts in which the author compares Jesus to different things. Why? The author is showing the truth of Jesus’ Supremacy above all things!
- Chapters 1-3 comparison of Jesus to the angels
- Chapters 3-4 comparison of Jesus to Moses
- Chapters 5-7 comparison of Jesus to priests and Melchizedek
- Chapters 8-13 comparison of Jesus to the sacrifice and the covenants
Jesus is the Superior Revelation of the Word (1:1-3)
- 1- takes the reader back to how God’s will was revealed, through the prophets. v. 2- God has chosen to use His Son, Jesus, to be the way of revelation for His people in the last days. Jesus began the time clock on the last days. v. 3- He is compared to the illumination of the sun, it’s radiance. What does the sun do? It shines light onto life to see, grow, and mature! He is noted to be the imprint of God, a comparison that would have been understood using wax and an impression to seal a letter. Jesus is the exact impression of God, because He is God! His work on the cross has done everything for our purification of sin. He sits on the throne as ruler and King!
- Jesus heralds the supreme word vv.1-2
- Jesus holds the supreme way over sin v.3
Jesus is Superior to Angels (1:4-7)
Why would this have matter to a Jewish audience? In first century Judaism, angels were seen as powerful workers of God presenting the law to Moses. The author needed to note these Old Testament passages in order to show the authority, power, and rule that Jesus had over the angels. He is the Lord! He is the awaited Messiah! Psalm Chapter 2 does a great job of showing the relationship between God the father and God the Son! Groups that see Jesus as an angel or brother of Satan cannot deal with this passage if they know the context!
- Jesus is Creator and Heir of Creation v.4
- Jesus is Humbled for our Conversion v.5
- Jesus is to be Honored and Above all Celebrated v.6
Jesus is the Superior King (1:8-9)
Verses 8 and 9 are a direct quotation from Psalm 45:6-7. It’s a great comparison of the Davidic King and how Jesus continues the throne for eternity. I want you to feel the Kingship in John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”
What about the phrase, “God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” This would deal directly with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which if in Christ, we have too. Act 10:38 is very specific in showing this. Listen to this passage;“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” So the oil of gladness in the Jewish culture would have been used during feasts and weddings, for the delight and refreshment of the guests. How neat is that, we are the Bride of Christ! Jesus is the Superior King!
Jesus is the Superior Creator (1:10)
Col 1:16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
The Supremacy of Jesus is Unending (1:11-12)
The author compares clothing or covering in how it wears out, to how Christ’s power and covering never wear out, never grow old. He can be counted on!
The Supremacy of Jesus has all Authority (1:13-14)
Phil 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The author is pouring out to a Jewish audience who have come to Christ during an intense time of persecution that Jesus is indeed worth it! He has all authority, He is unending, He is the Creator, The King, Ruler over the Angels, and is the Revealed Word!
Give me Jesus! In the morning, when I rise Give me Jesus
You can have all this world Just give me Jesus
When I am alone
Oh, when I am alone
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus
Give me Jesus When I come to die Oh, when I come to die
Give me Jesus