The Superiority of Christ

READ: Ezekiel 9,10; Psalms 127; Hebrews 1

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 1: 3 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.
4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

OBSERVATION:  People have divergent opinions about Jesus. Some say Jesus was a great teacher; some say he was a prophet; some consider him a religious leader; some view that he was a good man who was wrongly accused by jealous Jews and killed by Romans. People never question Jesus’ human nature.  However, it is hard for many to accept that Jesus is more than a human being. Knowing “who Jesus really is?” is fundamental to our Christian faith. Although the book of Hebrews is primarily written for the suffering Jewish Christians to hold fast their faith in Jesus Christ, it helps us understand Jesus’ personhood. Some call The book of Hebrews is “the book of better things” since it uses Greek words for “better” and “superior” 15 times.

Verse 3 explicitly says of the divinity of Jesus. It affirms both the human nature and divine nature of Jesus. In theological terms, it is called “the hypostatic union of Christ,” which is an essential doctrine of the Christian Church. Spurgeon gives an excellent explanation to this verse, “Whatever God is, Christ is. The very likeness of God, the very Godhead of Godhead, the very Deity of Deity, is in Christ Jesus.”  When Philip requested Jesus to show the Father, he replied, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” (Jn.14:10). Jesus, who is “sustaining all things by his powerful word,” can uphold us in all things. Out of his love for us, he bore our sins and made way for our purification. Now he is sitting at the right hand of God the Father, with all authority and power. This key verse reveals Jesus’ oneness with God the Father, his unique and distinct identity as a person, and his power. In verse 4, we see the first comparison and the superiority of Christ. Angels are God’s creation, but the Son is “much superior,” “far greater,” “much better” than all the angels. The remaining chapter substantiates this fundamental truth about Jesus. Angels are “ministering spirits” to serve all who receive salvation. But Jesus is the “Saviour of the world.”  In Christ Jesus, we have everything. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb.13:8). We can trust him always. Our faith in Jesus Christ is not vain, imaginary, and devoid of value and benefit.   

APPLICATION:  I am in the hands of my creator. Jesus’ words are all-powerful; “they are full of the Spirit and life” (Jn.6:63). Jesus has “ the words of eternal life” (Jn.6:68). Jesus is the best portion of my life. I will obey his words and live a life worthy of the Lord. Jesus gives me a better life of hope than anyone else.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for giving me the opportunity to know you better every day. Lord, help me be strong in my Christian faith and live for you. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

Day – 310